Sarah McRae still wears the jewelry she bought in the Massai Community of Tanzania.
Although they are stunning pieces, it’s the experience that still takes her breath away, months later.
“I was able to sit down and learn who these people are,” she said. “It was special and it was beautiful.”
McRae, an International Business student at Carleton, traveled with an interdisciplinary team of students to work on the ground with community residents in multiple villages in Northern Tanzania, in January. Their mission was to learn more about the chronic water shortage in this area and how it can be combatted.
The Buckets to Rain Barrels project was fully-funded by donors on Carleton’s award-winning crowdfunding website futurefunder.ca.
Upon their return, the students presented original solutions to the problem to a live audience at Carleton that was simultaneously telecast to key stakeholders in the Longido District. Now, phase two of the project is underway, ensuring that Carleton students will continue to make a lasting impact in the developing world.
This is just one example of how Carleton students are enacting real-life change and how donors are enabling them to do so.
As its 2014-2015 fiscal year comes to a close, Carleton University is celebrating its best single fundraising year in the school’s history. But, it is not only a celebration of the $25 million in donations that have been raised for new programs, student aid and research; we are celebrating that gifts through Carleton have made a tangible impact in our school, our community and around the world.
“This experience changed my life,” said McRae. It brought such insight into the role of international business and international development. It was an authentic experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
After graduating in June, McRae will be traveling to Madagascar to work on a microfinance project. “I think my experience with Buckets to Rain Barrels was a major factor in being accepted into this youth fellowship program that only accepts 25 Canadians,” she said.
Carleton is spreading its wings in other parts of the world, too.
In December, thanks to another crowdfunding success, students traveled to the end of the earth for a hands-on learning experience in Antarctica with leading scientists, researchers and other students from around the globe.
Carleton also raised over $90,000 in 24 hours in its second year participating in Giving Tuesday—a global initiative that is aimed at rallying philanthropic and volunteer support around the world.
After a record-breaking year of philanthropic support for the program, the RavensMen’s Basketball Team brought home their 11th CIS championship title, further proving that Carleton University is a leader in Canadian post-secondary athletics.
It is clear that when it comes to creating a culture of philanthropy on and off campus, Carleton is succeeding.
The total for the 2014-’15 fiscal year is almost 20 per cent more than Carleton’s previous best year in 2001-’02.
The unparalleled year in fundraising is just the beginning on what promises to be an exciting new chapter for Carleton University.
Friday, May 8, 2015 in Philanthropy
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