MEET THE TEAM: Ian
Ian is a 20-year-old college student, currently studying Political Science and Russian at the University of Vermont. His concentration is on International Policy and Ethics.
What does this trip to Zimbabwe mean to you?
This trip means for me, the first opportunity to work with a non-profit organization to help others. This type of work is possibly what I want to do with the rest of my life, and this is my first chance to experience it first hand.
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
The craziest thing I have ever done was publicly streak on campus. The freedom of nudity, and the unity of nakedness is a big part of UVM tradition and I could not miss out on that.
Quote from your favorite movie?
“Well, keep your nose in the wind, and your eyes along the skyline.” (from the film “Jeremiah Johnson”)
Who/What do you think about when you hear the phrase, “I am strong if You are strong?”
I think of a saying I once heard that roughly goes, “if you have come to help, then leave now. But if your redemption is somehow connected with mine, then we can work together”. I think that what I truly take from the phrase, “I am strong if You are strong”, is that our lives are all interconnected. No matter the distance we are all part of a greater experience. If we know it or not.
You can support Ian on his trip to Zimbabwe at his StayClassy page or even shop for Ian at ELIAS.

The second I read that Elias Fund was bringing a group over to Zimbabwe I immediately knew I couldn’t pass this up. Having never been out of the country really, and wanting to go to Africa for some time now, this was the perfect opportunity. It means everything. And to experience it with a familiar face who has experience traveling there, seems too good to be true.
Noemi was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and is currently a junior at Colorado Christian University pursuing her degree in International Studies. At CCU, Noemi is the vice-president of the International Action Club, which puts students’ passions and interests for international issues into action and organizes advocacy events for the work of Non-Profits and NGOs around the world. In her spare time, she loves to spend as much time as possible with family and friends, read anything she can get her hands on, play the piano, and visit the many beautiful towns of Colorado.