Student in action: Taylor Wong

Taylor Wong went to Costa Rica with EPI in 2010. And she turned the inspiration she felt on course into action.

On route to Pacuare Reserve, the truck that Taylor and her group were riding in was stopped in Matina, due to flooding and a broken water main. Sweating under the hot Costa Rica sun, Taylor couldn’t imagine what it would be like for the students at the local school to have to go without water.

When she got home, Taylor decided she wanted to help. So for her birthday, instead of asking for gifts, she asked for school supplies and money to give to the students at the Matina school. Taylor raised $700 and was able to send them 6 boxes of school supplies!

Matina school used the funds to build an actual gate for the school, replacing old barbed wire fence, which was a hazard for young children at the school.

“I realized that the little things I complained about back home really didn’t matter in the big picture. I am so fortunate to live in a warm house and have a great education,” says Taylor.