Congratulations to essay contest winner Julia Rubio! All of your essays were amazing. Together we built two schools with Pencils of Promise. Learn more and pledge your own Impossible Challenge at www.impossibleones.org

My Impossible challenge was raising $30,000 for my 30th birthday so that children in the developing world have access to education. Well. We totally did it! 

Many of you have read the above, about my Impossible and you have all stepped up to help us reach our goal. You have decided to pay if forward. You've given up much needed cups of coffee, done chores for your parents, you've hustled at school, at work, and in your neighborhoods. Each of you has been a shining example of the good in the world. And we've built a SCHOOL! 

I'm so inspired by the generosity of the human spirit. So often we only hear about the bad, sad, or atrocious things happening on this planet. You've given me such an amazing birthday gift and I'm so incredibly proud. And beyond inspired. Many of you have asked me what's next? We hit our goal -- five days early no less! -- so what now? Well, here goes...

On the impact trip to Guadalupana, what struck me immediately was just how high need the community is. And that's where my Impossible came from. Could I raise the money to build a school? As you've heard by now, one three-room structure costs $30,000. And I thought, okay, that's a lot of money. But I believe we can do it. But would that take care of the issue? The PoP team explained that in order to get every kid in Guadalupana into a classroom, we would actually need to build a second school, for a total of six classrooms. So phase one would be three rooms. Phase two would be 4, 5, and 6. And then every child in that village would be able to go to school. I volunteered to give my 30th birthday to PoP to raise the cash for the first school. 30 for 30. And we all figured that maybe we could raise the money for the second structure during Back To School campaigns. Well. I have a new Impossible y'all. 

We met our goal. We've done it. We've given love, faith, and support to each other, and to strangers half way around the world. So I am satisfied. But not finished. My birthday has been made. My heart is so big and full today. The mission, however, is not over. I say we finish it. I say we build that second school. I say we tell the kids in Guadalupana that they matter. That they deserve a future. That they are worth it. I say we show the world that our generation is made of givers. Of global citizens. Of humanitarians, who value human life and love above all else. 

The deadline was made. So there's no pressure. I don't care how long it takes us. A week. A month. Six months. No worries. But I know that we can do this. I have so much faith in this family we have created here on Crowdrise. We may not all know each other, but we know something of one another's hearts. So. Get involved however you can. Give up a $4 latte. Tell your parents you'll do all the laundry for a week. Throw a bake sale. A lemonade stand. A car wash. Spread the word in your community. Your voice is the most powerful tool in the world. So shout it from the rooftops team! Share your inspiration, and inspire the world. We are spreading love in the most beautiful way. Let's keep it up.

#SB30for30pt2 is a go! Let's keep it up and build a second school for the kids of Guadalupana!

All Love. xo

Sophia