Sarah, 16, Sri Lanka

Basic need(s):

Health, Water, Education

Project:

"BUMP IT OFF! Planet Earth"

The capital city of Colombo, Sri Lanka has been negatively impacted by extreme urbanization, resulting in sub-standard living and unsanitary health conditions within the poorer communities. Noting her city's declining standards, Sarah developed "BUMP IT OFF! Planet Earth," a community service project designed to address and meet the UN Millennium Development Goals. The project works to improve the health standard of poor Sri Lankan communities. For Phase I of the project, they conducted a Pediatric Health Camp. She worked with the Minister of Housing and the Ministry of Health to provide free medicine and 25 doctors to the community, offering general check-ups and free nutritional supplements for more than 700 children in just a half day. Sarah's group is currently in Phase II of development—arranging a Health and Sanitation Campaign. Phase III will provide an efficient and sustainable plumbing system for communities in need, helping achieve the project's long-term sanitation goals.

Photo: Benjamin Quinto