In May of 2014, I walked across the podium to collect my undergraduate diploma from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. It was an exciting moment, but as I stepped off stage I was already thinking about what was ahead. Just a few weeks later, I was boarding a plane bound for Nicaragua with nothing more than a backpack, a journal, and an assortment of camera gear.

The oppritunity that awaited me was a position with Amped For Education, a non-profit dedicated to creating educational opportunities for children in the developing world. Over the next 6 months we accomplished a lot. With help from volunteers, local contractors, and continuous support from the local community, we built “Learning for Life,” an open air classroom where the organization holds classes 5 days per week for students transitioning into secondary school. Around the same time, we created a recreation program for kids in the community. Students play soccer, baseball, and kickball in a safe environment while they learn the importance of teamwork, setting goals for themselves, and taking care of their community. Throughout the summer we hosted a number of volunteer trips, all of which were unique and inspiring in their own ways.

As a team we grew immensely together. We struggled at times but we made progress. We worked hard and we were persistant. As Amped For Education continues to grow, I look forward to seeing what the future holds. These are some of my favorite images from the year. They are memories that I hope will never fade away.