As I prepare to embark on Project Togo, I find myself reflecting on the journey so far and feeling immense gratitude for everyone who has supported Sustainable Classrooms along the way. This project is a testament to the power of community, and I'm thrilled to share some of the milestones we've achieved together.
Fundraising Success and Community Support
In June, we launched our first fundraising event for Sustainable Classrooms, and I am blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm we received. A special thank you goes to Brandy Snider for hosting a yard sale that not only raised funds but also helped spread awareness about our mission. Thank you to the many donation items from the supporters, and especially the generous contribution from Sue Dansie. We raised over $800 at the event!
Building Partnerships for Greater Impact
During my trip to Boise, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Citizen Scientific Workshop (CSW). I was thrilled to see the Extruder Pro Machine and the brick mold they developed for us in action! Spending over 12 hours in their shop was enlightening and opened up new possibilities for innovation and efficiency. Our first iterations of the recycled plastic bricks were produced, and the CSW team has been working tirelessly to perfect them for the classrooms we will be building in Togo.
Exploring Educational Collaborations
Recently, I visited my alma mater in Moscow, Idaho, to explore student research opportunities within the College of Natural Resources. This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in recycling more than just commonly disposed plastics—such as water bottles, plastic bags, and other single-use plastics. We are excited to work with the university to develop the best recycled plastic bricks for classrooms globally!
Preparing for Departure
With less than two weeks until my departure, I am diligently preparing for this incredible journey. For those unfamiliar with the region, Togo is a hotspot for diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever! To meet the intensive requirements of travel, I have met with nurses at the Missoula County Health Department, my primary care provider, and the pharmacy to ensure I have all necessary prescriptions and vaccinations. I have also secured a Togo visa and booked my round-trip tickets.
Many of these preparations come with unforeseen expenses. While we source as much as we can locally in Togo, certain items, such as a fume trapper and high-temperature gloves, are sourced primarily for quality and safety. I will be traveling with a substantial amount of equipment, which is more cost-effective than shipping freight, though still amounts to a significant expense. As September 2nd approaches, I am focused on raising awareness, continuing my research, and fundraising every penny to reach our $20,000 goal for the first pilot classroom. We need your help to spread the word and reach this milestone!
How You Can Help
Our goal is to mitigate plastic waste while creating valuable educational facilities and employment opportunities within the community. By helping us reach our fundraising goal, we can achieve these objectives and have a greater impact in those we are striving to help. Please share this with anyone you know, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on our progress.
Lastly, I would like to highlight our monthly giving program for our dedicated donors who contribute at least $5 a month. These donations help create a sustainable and predictable budget for Sustainable Classrooms, allowing us to plan and execute projects more effectively.
Thank you all for your continued support-
Together, we are making a difference, one brick at a time!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jestine Lackner
Founder of Sustainable Classrooms
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