Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools. If you are curious about Building Change with Team Dayā, please contact our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.

By Mauricio O’Connell, Team Dayā member

On July 19th, 2024 my daughter, parents, and I embarked on a journey that filled our hearts with joy, hope, and happiness. We visited the the Team Dayā school in the Guatemalan community of Caserío Sector Los Castro, that your generous contributions helped to build in the spring of 2023. Just one year later, it has grown tremendously, now boasting two teachers and 40 students across grades 1-6.

The transformation is incredible. The old shelter made of boards and sheet metal with a dirt floor has been replaced by a safe, new building with a proper floor. It’s a testament to the power of community and the dedication of Team Dayā, and its local partner in Guatemala, buildOn.

Since starting their work in 2018, Team Dayā has built six schools in developing countries around the world. The group will fund its second school in Guatemala (and seventh overall) this December. I’m humbled and proud that your donations helped make this particular school a reality. The impact is clear: creating educational opportunities for countless children.

I am deeply grateful that I was able to secure the funds to fully fund this school. Witnessing the smiles on the children’s faces and hearing the kind words of the lead teacher affirmed the importance of our efforts. He shared that the closest school before this one was a 40-minute walk up the mountain, highlighting the significance of providing education in this remote area (Caserillo Sector Los Castros, Departamento del Quiche).

The children’s laughter echoed through the new classrooms, their eyes sparkling with the promise of a brighter future. Parents expressed their gratitude, sharing stories of how the school had transformed their children’s lives, instilling in them a love for learning and a belief in their own potential.

Inspired by this experience, I am already committed to raising funds for a second school, which will break ground in December 2024 when Team Dayā, led by ad tech veteran Jay Sears, will be in the country. It’s a small step, but one that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the lives of many children.

You can make a tax-deductible donation here to help Team Dayā build more schools and empower more children through education.

Any amount helps, but here are some examples of what your gift can provide:

• $100: Five shovels for the foundation
• $250: All the nails, nuts, and bolts for the roof
• $500: An in-country mason for the entire construction
• $1,000: Paint for the school
• $40,000: A full school!

Together, we can build a brighter future for Guatemala.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support has made a real difference in the lives of these children, their families, and the entire community. It’s a reminder that together, we can build a brighter future for generations to come.

– Mauricio O’Connell

Three Ways You Can Help

1. Make a Donation Online
2. Example investment opportunities:
   • $250 All the nails, nuts, and bolts to build a roof for the school
   • $500 In-country mason during the entire construction of the school
   • $1,000 Paint for a school
   • $40,000 Fund an entire school
3. Spread the Word
   • Share our mission with your friends, your company and your industry
   • Invite us to speak about our mission to your network
   • Follow us LinkedIn, X / Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
4. Join the Team & Travel on a School Build
   • If you have a combination of fundraising chops, an adventurous spirit and the belief each of us has the capacity to be Building Change, get in touch with us and have a conversation.

Team Dayā 2024 Plans

In 2024, we plan to build schools in Nepal (March, completed), Senegal (June 2024, completed) and Guatemala (December 2024, limited availability). These ground breakings will be our second school in each of these countries. 

The exact start dates are:

• Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Nepal (arrive Kathmandu) [groundbreaking completed]
• Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Senegal (arrive Dakar) [groundbreaking completed]
• Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Guatemala (arrive Guatemala City) [limited availability]
• A 2025 schedule will be published by September 1st.

If you are curious to learn more about joining a build, please reach out to our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen. 

Thanks again for your continued support,

All of us at Team Dayā