Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) celebrates and mobilizes the millions of young people who improve their communities through service. GYSD is the largest service event in the world and the only one dedicated to the contributions that children and youth make 365 days of the year.

As part of their exchange year, exchange students plan, organize, and implement their own Global Youth Service Day Project. 

Each year, World Link recognizes their student's top 10 projects based on the project concept, the involvement of others, the scope, and outcome of the project. This year 102 students submitted their projects for consideration. 

Congratulations to YES students Calyn Reddy (South Africa/Iowa) and Khaled Bin Mubarak (Yemen/TX) for being selected as part of the top 10! 

Calyn's project was to raise money for an organization called Mary's Meals, which provides almost one million children all around the world with at least one meal a day. Through selling caramel corn and candy bars at her school concession stand, giving a presentation at her local church, creating a YouTube video and an online donation site, as well as having a story about her project published in the local newspaper; Calyn was able to raise $2100 dollars, which will feed 105 children around the world for an entire year. Of the experience, Calyn says, "I realize now what I'm capable of and I know that I can implement change if I set my mind to it...I've realized that people need to be made aware of things that are happening in the world today because that's the only way they can help, because most people are able and willing to help."

For his GYSD project, Khaled and his friends rode their bikes for 15 miles on the Lubbock Canyon Lakes Bike Trail. Prior to GYSD, he made and shared fliers and reached out to family and friends in order to raise "per mile" pledges for his ride. After the event, Khaled used the $500 he raised to buy stuffed animals and other toys to help put smiles on the children's faces at the Lubbock Children's Hospital. Through this project, Khaled says he 

realized "There is no better feeling than helping the community around you! I learned that volunteering helps increase your social and leadership skills. I learned that it helps you make new friends and contacts."

Keep up the great work, Calyn and Khaled!!

YES Participants: