“Later in my life, the opportunities to do this type of humanitarian work could be very rare- that’s why I want to soak up as much as possible now.”

–Jonathan Su

Name: Jonathan Su
Hometown: San Marino, CA
Education: New York University, Class of 2018
Interests and Passions:
Rarely goes to sleep before 4 AM
Ardent advocate for equality regardless of race, background, beliefs, or orientation
Loves music, art and popular culture
Transformational Experiences:
Children of China, Beijing
Children of Africa, Ghana
Children of the Maya, Guatemala
Heart and Soul of Africa, Tanzania
Making an Impact: 2014 Global Citizen Year Fellowship in Ecuador

What a difference a year makes.

18 year-old Jonathan Timothy Su was a shy, reserved and “follow the crowd” type of student as a freshman in high school. He got excellent grades and had many friends, but he was certainly not one to jump out of his comfort zone.

The following year, after a life-changing summer spent on GLA’s “Children of China” Program, you’d have never described Jonathan that way. He carried himself with more confidence, independence and maturity, and his parents noticed an immediate change in him.

“I was so much more appreciative of my life, and I had much deeper understanding of the world and my role in it all. I couldn’t wait to continue my personal development through travel, and the rest is history!”

Over the course of the next three years, Jonathan spent significant time in Ghana, Tanzania and Guatemala with GLA- focusing on programs with the greatest involvement in the service of at-risk youth and education outreach.

“My summers with GLA really uncovered a passion for students, teaching youth and working in at-risk youth education. I really saw the impact I could have in the world, and it has evolved into my main focus. Travel and immersion in new cultures has given me the knowledge of how much I can accomplish, how many things I can do to help others. The possibilities are endless. It’s almost like I didn’t know what I wanted in life beforehand.”

Now, however, Jonathan’s goals are crystal clear.

Over the course of the next year, he’ll be participating in a Global Citizen Year Fellowship, which involves him taking a year off in-between high school and college. He’ll be spending the year in Ecuador, where he’ll be immersed in yet another culture, master the Spanish language, and be responsible for a long-term community outreach project.

“I’m focusing on education for my project, and although the specifics won’t be worked out until I arrive in Ecuador and see the true needs of my placement community, I’m so excited for this opportunity. I was awarded a full scholarship as a Fellow, and I want to get as much out of this experience as possible.”

Jonathan relied on his experiences with GLA to make the decision to take a Fellowship year and not go directly to college.

“At my high school, taking a gap year is looked upon as kind of a weird thing. Almost everyone goes directly to a four-year university, and as our Class Promethean (Valedictorian) and Service Commissioner for Student Council, I think everyone expected the same from me. As a freshman, I never would have been able to make this bold, different choice. But I’ve grown up, and I know how important it is to stay true to yourself and your passions. I couldn’t be more excited about my choice.”

Jonathan has also made the decision to attend New York University, which granted him a deferral, when he returns from his fellowship in Ecuador.

“NYU has a diverse student population and is located in one of the most diverse cities. They also have campuses all over the world. Knowing that I’m going there is like a dream. I want to study international relations and education. Working on an education initiative in a developing country is so important to me, and I hope that my time in Ecuador will bring me an even clearer vision of what I want to pursue at NYU.”

For now, though, Jonathan is throwing himself into his fellowship.

“The last 13 years of my 18-year life have been spent in school. I think now’s a good time to check in with myself, to do what I want to do and see the world.”

“I’m still going to have a productive year…Just not productive in the typical “western” understanding of productive.”

To follow along with Jonathan’s adventures in Ecuador, check out his blog.

Programs Jonathan Attended:
Children of China, Beijing
Children of Africa, Ghana
Children of the Maya, Guatemala
Heart and Soul of Africa, Tanzania

“It’s so important to explore your passions and use your interests to do good.”

–Lauren Sundstrom

Name: Lauren Sundstrom
Hometown: Newburyport, MA
Education: Bowdoin College, Class of 2017
Interests and Passions:
Was on a competitive cheerleading team but “can’t hit a ball to save her life”
Loves poetry and went to every Poetry Team competition at her school
Self-proclaimed shopaholic who holds a part-time job at a clothing boutique
Transformational Experience: Children of Africa, Ghana
Making an Impact: Founder and President of Clothes for Hope, Inc.

Only two years ago, 16 year-old Lauren Sundstrom was a teenager without direction, spending much of her time distracted by a circle of friends that her parents worried was not a great influence on her. Lauren’s mother, Lisa, was especially concerned. “Lauren was in trouble. She just wasn’t being herself, and didn’t seem happy or confident.”

They knew that they wanted to help their daughter, so they encouraged her to find her passion. In addition, they agreed to fund her activities once she’d found it. “We were thrilled when Lauren told us that she wanted to see the world and volunteer in a new place,” says Lisa. “My husband and I were both raised abroad, and we know how important it is to have a global perspective and really understand how fortunate we are.”

After much research and careful consideration, Lauren found herself enrolled in the Global Leadership Adventures “Children of Africa” Program in Ghana. She chose this program because she loves working with children. In order to start making a difference before her program began, she began mentoring local girls at her old middle school.

“One of the huge factors that contributed to my wanting to travel and help children was my own self-esteem growing up. I really had difficulty feeling accepted and wanting to fit in.”

Lauren was on a roll, and by the time she got to Ghana she was more ready than ever to make an impact on the children there. She spent her days and nights immersed in Ghana’s culture and with its children, seeing families in unimaginable poverty and desperately wanting to help. While volunteering as a teacher at a school in the Woe-Keta School District, Lauren had life-changing realizations.

“The students at the school there really wanted to learn, but they had almost no materials, no teacher…nothing. They showed up every day and they knew they might not have a teacher, but they went to school anyway. I would never have done that in 6th grade, but for them education is a privilege. That really opened my eyes.”

Lauren also saw the harsh reality for children who weren’t afforded the opportunity to attend school.

“We played with the neighborhood kids near our Home Base- and I absolutely loved it. Those were the kids who couldn’t go to school. They couldn’t afford a uniform, so they weren’t allowed to go, but I couldn’t believe how much they thrived on interacting with us. It was amazing.

Lauren’s life had been transformed.  She returned home with a new outlook on her privileged life and with a sense of responsibility to help the children and families of Ghana in any way that she could.

“When I got back I had a job at a clothing boutique. I always loved fashion, and actually thought that was what I would major in in college. But my passion really lies with children. One day I was organizing my closet, and I had several bags of beautiful clothing- I wanted to donate them, take them to a bin or something. My mom and I had been talking about how I was going to be ok- to keep living my life, even though I felt so guilty that people in Ghana were barely surviving…And the idea just snowballed from there.”

That summer, Lauren started Clothes for Hope. Clothes for Hope, Inc. is a non-profit organization that raises money for educational assistance and materials for children and families in need, both locally and globally.  Lauren collects donations of new and gently used clothing and hosts huge sales to sell the goods at discounted rates. Clothes for Hope has raised more than $90,000 to date, and has helped to purchase 280 school uniforms and hundreds of pounds of school supplies for children in Ghana. In addition, funds raised by Clothes for Hope have been used to construct a teacher’s meeting room, a library, and a middle school in the rural fishing town where Lauren volunteered during her GLA Program.

Talk about making an impact!

Lisa couldn’t believe the incredible change she saw in Lauren. “As a parent, there is nothing more gratifying than witnessing your child being truly happy and doing what they love. Lauren traveled with GLA to Ghana, and when she returned she was a different person. She carries the people of Ghana in her heart, and her involvement has been such a blessing to our whole family.”

Lisa even accompanied Lauren on her first return trip to Ghana, the summer following her GLA program.

“When my mom and I returned to Ghana last summer to drop off my donations and visit the site where the Clothes for Hope Middle School will be built, it was the students’ summer break. But there were 200+ kids waiting at the school for me and clapping…it was so moving. Without a doubt the best day of my life.”

Since her first trip to Ghana with GLA in Summer 2011, Lauren has already returned to Ghana twice. On her third trip, in August 2013, she once again delivered hundreds of pounds of school supplies. “I’m going to keep going, as often as I can. I fell in love with the people of Ghana on my GLA program, and 2 years later I am more passionate than ever about improving the lives of the children there.” Check out a video she made after her last visit here.

Lauren is currently attending Bowdoin College, where she is studying International Business and Law while continuing to run Clothes for Hope, Inc.

Program Lauren Attended:
Children of Africa, Ghana

At The Young Leader, we’re inspired by individuals who leave a positive mark on our world- and teach us all a lesson in the process.

Few men have taught us as much as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we honor the messages of King’s legacy.

To dare to dream, regardless of obstacles.

To relentlessly pursue equality for all, no matter how impossible this may seem.

To drive away hate with love.

And, of course, countless others.

For an amazing and reflective read today, check out a recent article written by Dr. Gary May, Professor of History at the University of Delaware, which celebrates the humanity and sometimes-forgotten struggle of Dr. King’s amazing life.