The Cone Issue #8 Winter 2016 | Page 68

How did you find out about the team? My boyfriend actually went to Malawi with a BuildOn team. He went to film the experience as well as help build. He was so moved by his entire experience, that quickly upon returning home he told me he wanted to build a team himself for another country in need of a school. To be totally honest, as first I didn’t immediately assume I would be part of the team, because it somehow felt unattainable to me, or more so, I really and truly did not know what I would be doing. Once Scott really broke down the process for me, I realized how accessible BuildOn makes it, and started to realize this was something I really wanted to be part of.  Why go to another country and build a school? There are many things I believe America needs to desperately improve, education being included in that, but the reality that children with so much potential in other countries aren’t even getting the opportunity to pursue their Carlie Casey dreams that need to start with some level of education, is deeply disturbing to me.  What are you looking forward to most on this journey of giving? It's hard to say, because I’ve already gained so much from my experience so far and we haven’t even gone to Nepal yet. Our team is made up of people, who for the most part didn’t You are part of a team and I am guessing each member has different things they bring to the mix, what are your strong points that you’re bringing to the team? know each other at the beginning, but didn’t let that prevent them from coming together solely for the betterment of others. That's a really powerful thing to witness and be part of. I’m so inspired by the members of my team. Everyone’s perspective and insights have been Some days I feel like I contribute a big fat zero in comparison to some of the other members of the team. But, part of that invaluable to me. All that said, I do look forward to meeting our goal entirely, and meeting the beautiful faces we are belief has really been broken due to how supportive everyone is. I’m an extremely passionate, intuitive person, and there are fortunate enough to be helping in Nepal.  decisions we’ve had to make as a team that haven’t always been easy. My boyfriend Scott is the leader of our group, and he’s had to make quite a few tough decisions himself. He has What attracted you to do this type of project? Being of service in a larger way than I’ve ever been able to voiced, and I have felt, like my intuition and communication skills have helped some of those decisions come to light. I also up until this point. I was raised understanding the value of helping others, and I’m always looking for new ways to do value humor and laughter above most things, and I try to keep so. This by far is the largest project I’ve ever committed to, as far as long-term commitment, as well as the travel, and everyone giggling as best I can when meetings run long, and we all start to deplete a bit.  the physical labor we will be doing once we arrive in Nepal. 68 THE CONE - ISSUE #8 - WINTER 2016