About the Cotopaxi Adventure

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It has been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  On December 11 of this year, Ivan Villasboa, executive director of Companion Community Development Alternatives (CoCoDA) will take his first step toward summiting the Cotopaxi Volcano in Ecuador.  His goal, and the goal of CoCoDA, is to raise $25,000 that will help support a much-needed college scholarship program that is now in danger of ending.


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Want to know what it looks and sounds like at the summit of Cotopaxi? Check out this Youtube video from a Cotopaxi climber!

Why Climb a Mountain?

 
Summiting Cotopaxi is symbolic of the struggles that youth in El Salvador face when it comes to carving out a future for themslves, says Villasboa. He adds,   The kids in this scholarship program are not ordinary!  They are going to school to learn how to address the issues that are hurting their country and fellow citizens.  Climbing Cotopaxi,  the second highest peak in Ecuador, will be beyond tough;  and it will take every bit of my physical and psychological strength to reach the top. But doing it  just seemed like an effort that is on-par with the sacrifices that have already been made to get this incredible group of kids to this point.

>> Cotopaxi Climb Details
>> Student Profiles
  • The per capita income in El Salvador is roughly $2,000 annually
  • Primary school is free, but the purchase of supplies can exceed $250 per child
  • Only about 1% of youth in El Salvador get the opportunity to go to college (by contrast, approximately 25% of Americans earn a Bachelor's Degree) 

more facts: http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472030981-ch1.pdf