“In youth we learn” – not only a popular quote but incredibly accurate when it comes to many of the bright young people that support us. Sydney is just such an individual. After returning recently from Mexico on an expedition with ASEA, Sydney developed, and blogged about, five critical findings relevant to anyone no matter their economic standing or education level. She also was quick to recognize that after all the hard work, a woman deserves a refreshing Coke.

Thank you, Sydney, for being our guest blogger this week! Her five critical findings here!

We have partnered with doTERRA International to benefit the earthquake-torn country of Nepal. Through this partnership, doTERRA is working with rural Nepal villages in conjunction with its Co-Impact SourcingTM initiative. In Nepal, rural villagers living in extreme poverty survive on less than $2 a day.

This partnership provides critical economic opportunities, particularly in rural areas where they are most needed and a better standard of living through improved access to clean water, education, and medical services. This work addresses many of the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development, including gender equality that serves to underscore the importance of this work.

Why is gender equity in impoverished communities so important? Because extreme poverty is sexist! Women in poor communities bear almost the entire responsibility for providing the basic needs for their families, yet are largely left without resources, freedom, and decision-making power required to fulfill these needs. CHOICE Humanitarian is committed to programs that empower women to take an active and equal role in community-level leadership that can break the cycle of poverty.