By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

Are you a high school student who is interested in international development? Wishing you could travel the world but stuck at home during the pandemic? Looking for a something fun yet also helpful for your college applications? Become a Mali Rising Youth Ambassador this school year!

Any high school student in the United States is eligible to apply to be a Youth Ambassador. We are looking for creative Ambassador applicants who are willing and able to donate their volunteer time and energy. Only 20 Ambassador slots are available for the 20/21 school year. Ambassadors serve from September through May, and agree to contribute a minimum of 40 service hours over that time period.

All Youth Ambassadors commit to tackling three projects during their Ambassador year. During the fall, Ambassadors will tackle their first project as a (virtual) group. For their remaining two projects, Ambassadors can design their own creative projects or select from several pre-existing options. Project areas include:

1. Education/outreach. Examples may include: doing a presentation to a school class or youth organization, getting their school involved our annual video contest (new this year!), becoming a Mali Rising social media STAR, etc.

2. Fundraising. Examples may include: conducting a personal fundraising drive, participating in our virtual walk-a-thon (Miles for Mali), helping with a school-based fundraiser, etc.

3. Service. Examples may include: creating English language flashcards for Mali students, coordinating a drive for “welcome back to school” letters for Mali students, making a component of menstrual kits, etc.

Short meetings/video calls will help Ambassadors follow through on their activities and provide a fun chance to learn and connect. Guest speakers with expertise in international development, Mali culture, etc. will add to the learning opportunities for Ambassadors.

What’s in it for Ambassadors? The joy of helping other people! Seriously, don't under estimate the value of this. In addition, Ambassadors:

• Join a fun community of other outstanding young leaders from all around the United States. We host regular meetings/video calls where Ambassadors connect and share with each other and hear from experts in the field.

• Learn more about international development & Mali. For example, our meetings/video calls include a chance to learn more, including from staff in Mali and experts.

• Build leadership skills that will help them in the future & with college applications.

• Where applicable, students may receive service hour credit from their own school's program.

• And so much more!

Apply here today — the deadline is September 30.