Kayla Gogarty – UCLA

What passions drives you and your work with Nourish International?
My passion for Nourish and the social entrepreneurship movement is rooted in the fact that it works. It's as simple as that. It is sustainable in every sense of the word, and there is no better feeling than knowing that every long hour of work you put in now, is building a strong foundation for future growth. Nourish makes it possible to connect with people and transform communities in a real and lasting way. Living in Guatemala this past summer to implement our project made me even more passionately dedicated to Nourish International because I saw our movement in action, and it really does work.

What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?
Last year's thrift sale! Working closely with each member of our team to put together a big, brand new event was an amazing feeling as Venture Director. I was so proud of our team's organization and confidence! It was the first time we were able to engage hundreds of UCLA students into one venture, and every person who walked away from our event with recycled clothing and awareness of our project in Guatemala became part of the Nourish movement. The support we received from the national office and other Nourish Chapters was astounding, and it really inspired us to continue innovating new ideas as a chapter.

What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I am currently applying to graduate schools to receive a master’s degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology. Eventually I will become a Speech & Language Therapist and work with children who have communicative disorders. In the future I hope to merge my intellectual interests with my passion for international development and bring comprehensive learning therapy centers to schools in developing countries. Nourish has shown me that leadership, resilience, creativity, and boundless energy are essential to creating lasting change in the world, and that is a lesson I will take with me in all of my future endeavors.

Hetali Lodaya – UNC

What passions drive you and your work with Nourish International?
Two passions drive my work with Nourish – the people and the model. Everyone at Nourish UNC is full of new ideas, enthusiasm, and a new perspective on the world. I have grown so much from knowing all of them thus far, and I love working with them each week! The model of Nourish – working through small communities instead of big top-down charities to drive change – is what initially attracted me to the organization. I think it is a step towards positive, powerful change, and I have really seen the potential that it has to succeed. With the combination of stellar people driving an impactful model, I think Nourish can have a huge voice in the conversation around sustainable development.

What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?
Selling waffles in downtown Chapel Hill on a Friday night is a strange way to spend your time… but in Nourish, anything is possible. We ran the “Midnight Munch” Venture last fall and had a GREAT time talking to people walking up and down Franklin. I got to practice and perfect an elevator pitch that catered to a different audience than normal – and apparently it worked! When our waffle makers were struggling to keep up with demand, one couple walking by actually went back home and brought us their griddle to make pancakes with – they really appreciated what we were doing and were happy to support something innovative and impactful. What did YOU do last Friday night?

What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?
I am interested in science policy, particularly the interaction between those developing the technologies for public health and safety – scientists, researchers, and engineers – and those with access to funding and responsibility for distribution – NGOs, businesspeople, governments, policy workers. I think that there is a HUGE communication gap that exists between these two groups – there’s not a lack of ideas in the world, only a struggle to implement them in the most effective ways. Nourish is a place where people of all academic backgrounds work together and really discuss the tough questions that need to guide both science research and policy analysis – I can practice those communication skills at every meeting!

The University of New Mexico - Project Amazonas

Project Amazonas works to provide basic health care and health education to Amazonian Communities, as well as to conserve the Amazon Rainforest.  The University of New Mexico Chapter will be teaming up with Project Amazonas to construct a health clinic and to educate the community on basic health information.  "It is the responsibility of the world to help", says Project Amazonas Doctor Garcia Meza.

http://www.projectamazonas.org/

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - FIPAH

FIPAH uses agro-ecology as a tool for development and conservation of resources.  In addition, by researching organic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and participatory plant-breeding, FIPAH is building resistance to climate change and developing farmer's food sovereignty.  The UNC chapter will be partnering with FIPAH to provide education and minor infrastructure construction services to communities in Honduras.

http://www.fipah.org/

Duke University - Fundación Runa

Fundación Runa focuses on three core areas: social empowerment, community development, and environmental management, by providing tools and resources to indigenous communities and farmers' associations working towards their vision of sustainable development in the Ecuadorian Amazon.  The Duke University Chapter is planning a project that touches all three of these core concepts.  The students will be teaching environmental workshops at the local elementary schools, and planting Guayasa in nurseries and plantations to later sell for a profit in order to boost the community's economic development.

http://www.fundacionruna.org/

Miami University of Ohio - Rural Agency for Sustainable Development (RASD)

In coordination with local government and other motivated organizations, RASD strives to alleviate poverty in the Buikwe, Mukono and Kayunga districts by improving the health and economic opportunities of these Ugandan communities.  Students will be expanding an internet café and teaching computer classes to primary school teachers to provide them with basic computer knowledge and skills.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_Agency_for_Sustainable_Development

The article can be viewed here: http://www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/index.php/site/blog/12664

For December, individual Chapter members were invited to submit a blog post responding to the prompt "Why do you Nourish?".

December's winner is the University of New Mexico for the following blog post written by Felicia Alexander, co-Chapter Leader.

Recently, a promising young leader within our chapter organized a screening of the documentary The End of Poverty?. Following the film, a panel was set to lead a discussion about the injustices of global poverty and possible solutions to this complex problem. The panel was comprised of university faculty from various departments and—representing Nourish International—myself and my Co-Director Sam Waggoner. The talk was a great opportunity to spread awareness of both the stark reality of global poverty and of our organization’s approach to sustainable development as a poverty alleviation tool. Overall, I felt that, as student leaders, our message was well-received and encouraged students to educate themselves about this pressing issue and take action. Still, one girl, seated in the back row of the theater and hidden in shadow, called out, “Can anything we do really make a difference?" Having spent the past two years working with Nourish, my answer to her was a resounding “Yes”.

Nourish is unlike any other student organization I have ever come across in that its members are so actively engaged in bringing about change. It challenges students to develop, fund, and implement a sustainable development project in a year’s time, exposing them to the real-life challenges that anyone in the field must face. It calls for students to inform themselves, their universities, and their communities about global poverty and to encourage others to support their mission and other like-minded endeavors. Moreover, its approach is unique in that its projects are community-based and collaborative, ensuring that our efforts address the needs of impoverished communities while not imposing any undue harm.

I Nourish because I am action-oriented and I can see the product of my work in the impact of our projects. These initiatives transform the abstract notion of “making a difference” into a reality for student participants. The “community we will help” becomes a list of names, faces, memories—life stories that can take a turn for the better through our projects. “Global poverty” itself becomes humanized, no longer an abstraction. Over the past two years, my measure of success in terms of poverty alleviation has changed. Powerful change can come from small victories. Every dollar donated to our projects represents the potential for a greater impact and one more convert to our cause. I Nourish for what we do and the way we do it. I Nourish for those small victories.

Merek Kesser  

What makes you passionate about Nourish? Developing sustainable projects in conjunction with a community abroad makes me very excited and passionate about Nourish.  I think that Nourish has a great and important cause and  I really enjoy the student and community aspect and involvement with Nourish.

What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish? One of my favorite memories is the fist Strides For Change 5K race that the UCD chapter put on in Spring 2010. We had a great turnout and a lot of fun as a chapter at the event.

What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career? I am interested in a career path related to sustainable development and I think that Nourish really embodies the ideals of sustainable development. Therefore I think it is a great stepping stone and source of experience for my career interests in the future.

Jenna Greve

What makes you passionate about Nourish?  I am passionate about helping and interacting with people. I love that I can take so much from these experiences and still be giving at the same time. I am dedicated to trying my best to influence everyone I meet in a positive way and gain a positive influence from them. I love the balance of interactive relationships which you see so much of in Nourish.

What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?  I think my favorite experience in Nourish was when I was actually in El Salvador to implement our project last year. It was really great seeing all the hard work come together. The experience and awareness of living with a group of people that were so different and yet fundamentally similar to myself was one of the most eye opening experiences I have had.

What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?  I am pursuing a career in medicine. Nourish has and still is developing leadership skills and cultural experiences that diversify my understanding of the world. This will help me understand a wide range of patients views which will lead to better patient care. I also plan on working abroad and my experience working with foreign organizations is invaluable to my future work in sustainable health care abroad. Nourish has helped me develop into a more well rounded individual which is essential to any career path that will be highly interactive like a career in medicine is.

Elizabeth Sherril

What passions drive you and your work with Nourish International?  Basic health is a fundamental key to a happy, successful life. I am passionate about eliminating disparities and assisting others in reaching this attainable level of health through service done in a sustainable, responsible way. Nourish International allows me the opportunity to practice this passion and be a part of a global service movement with a lasting, empowering impact.

What is one of your favorite memories of working with Nourish?  At the start of this school year, current members of the UTK chapter gathered together at a local, environmentally-conscious restaurant to discuss the past summer's project and our plans for the coming year. As founding members of our young chapter, we had worked together for the past year to understand and carry out Nourish's mission. As group members around the table recounted stories of their summer working in Uganda and their experience at the summer institute, the excitement in the air was almost tangible. The progress we had made was inspiring us to have an even greater impact in the year to come. We were all grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of such a positive mission.

What career path are you interested in? How do you think Nourish will prepare you for that possible career?  My undergraduate major is nutrition with the intent to pursue medicine and public health. I wish to become a physician with skills not only for treating individual patients but also for being involved in the development and application of health solutions for the population as a whole. Nourish has helped prepare me for this by bringing my humanitarian awareness to a greater level and giving me the opportunity to lead through service and cooperation.

For November, Chapters submitted a short paragraph on a marketing campaign implemented by their Chapter during this semester.  Entries were judged on aesthetics, the effectiveness of the campaign, use of campus resources, and the campaign’s innovative tactics.

November's Winner is The University of Kansas Chapter for "Gorilla Marketing"!

To promote our “Hunger is Scary Costume Sale” for Halloween, two of our Exec Board members walked around campus in Gorilla suits, handing out fliers about our costume sale. We got a lot of attention from those who otherwise may not have heard about Nourish. One of our Gorillas actually wore a Nourish International T-Shirt, so we got our name out even more.  The gorillas started out in front of the Union and walked down the main boulevard until they got to Wescoe Beach, a major gathering place on campus. On the way, many people stopped to take pictures with the gorillas, resulting in an unknown number of pictures being posted to Facebook with a Nourish International T-Shirt. This was a highly innovative and visible tactic. It’s hard to ignore a pair of gorillas on campus.

Congratulations to the University of Kansas!  For December's Chapter Challenge, individual chapter members are invited to submit a blog post responding to the prompt: "Why do you Nourish?"

Krispy Kreme Tailgate
Taking advantage not only of the tailgating tradition at Wake Forest, but also the appetite for the delicious glazed doughnuts, the Wake Forest Chapter sold Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to tailgaters before football games this semester. This venture further tapped into the local culture as Wake Forest is located in Winston-Salem, the birthplace of Krispy Kreme.

Naked for Nourish
In it's first year, the Rice University Nourish chapter tapped into an old school tradition in which students cover their naked bodies with shaving cream and run around campus.  This new Nourish Chapter harnessed this eccentric and amusing tradition into their first fundraiser.  The Chapter created a donation competition within the colleges of Rice in which the colleges nominated people to do the naked run and competed to raise the most money.

The Last Dinner
The University of Texas and Texas A&M have a legendary rivalry for which the University of Texas hosts annual pep rallies before games.  On the day of their last conference football game against Texas A&M this semester, the University of Texas Chapter sold food at a booth at the pep rally. In addition, the Chapter amusingly dressed someone up as an Aggie, and pep rally attendees paid money to throw pies at the "Texas A&M Aggie".

Nourish thrives on expressions of entrepreneurial spirit such as these. We encourage all of our chapters to take advantage of the local cultures of their universities and integrate Nourish's work into their timeless college traditions.

NINO learned as much from this visit as the students learned from them.  Sarah, Tom, Allie, and Ryan were able to take part in ventures and outreach while visiting Chapters, which gave them further insight into the inner workings of chapters at the grassroots level. They were able to take part in the University of New Mexico's Bake Sale Venture and helped publicize the Arizona State University's 5K Zombie Run.

Sarah, the Chapter Support Coordinator, says "Nourish is all about empowering communities, and the chapter visits were a really exciting opportunity for the National Office to empower the Nourish Communities of the West Coast to keep making change."

NINO Staff visits the UNM chapter

For October's Chapter Challenge, students were invited to submit a short paragraph on how they brought awareness about Nourish's work to a venture they have run during the 2011-2012 school year.

October's Chapter Challenge Winner was Cornell University!

At Cornell University, Nourish International brought awareness to the Pancakes for Poverty venture: a late-night specialty pancake and hot chocolate sale. To spread awareness, we offered poverty trivia for candy. We had an extensive list of poverty trivia questions and while a customer’s pancake cooked, we asked him or her a multiple-choice question. We offered four answers for the customer to choose from. If the customer answered correctly, he or she received a goody bag. The questions ranged from guessing the percentage of people worldwide who lack electricity to estimating the number of children who die per year from complications of malnourishment. The trivia allowed the customers both to reflect on world poverty and relate our venture to our cause. The trivia also kept customers occupied while we cooked their pancakes, contributing to higher customer satisfaction. In addition to poverty trivia, we brought awareness to the venture by putting up a large Nourish poster board, displaying a Nourish banner, and handing out brochures explaining Nourish’s mission.

October's Chapter Challenge Runner-Up was The University of Texas!

This was our third time doing casino night and I’d always felt the event would go really well, but people were leaving not having thought much about poverty or where their money was going.  In the past we had an awareness table set up and did powerpoint presentations about our projects, but people would usually ignore them.   This time, I wanted to make it more interactive and personal.  When everyone (even nourish members) walked in the door, they received a little dot sticker either a red or a green one.  About half-way through the night, I asked everyone with a red sticker on their hand to stand up- about  40% of the room.  I told them to look around at what represented the 40% of the world that lives on less than $2 a day and then explained purchasing power parity and gave some examples of common costs like a cup of coffee or how much UT tuition is per day ($64). I ended thanking them via the communities we have worked with.  Also, throughout the night, the dealers had 10 poverty trivia questions that they could ask and let the players bet on the answer- this worked really well at getting them to interact and discuss poverty.

For more student project stories and Nourish videos, visit our YouTube Channel!