Instagram ad sends student to Peru

Fidget spinners would be the only reason to click on Instagram advertisements, right? Freshman Hannah Pilgrim seems to oppose this because a simple tap on her Iphone led her to a humanitarian expedition to the other hemisphere on Earth.

A plane will rest its wings on Cuzco, Peru, on June 18 and will fly back to California on July 10 for Pilgrim’s three-week journey of wildlife and volunteer work.

“I actually found it on Instagram,” Pilgrim said. “You know how they have ads and stuff, I was going through my feed one day and then I saw it and I was like, ‘ooh that looks pretty cool.’”

By clicking on an ad, Pilgrim became a part of the Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), an international program that gives high school students the opportunity to take community actions over the summer in various parts of the world.

GLA was founded by Fred Swaniker, who is originally from Ghana and saw that the majority of high school students don’t have opportunities to build community and help others.

This foundation continues to grow, currently offering opportunities for various summer volunteer trips to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.  

With about 20 countries to choose from, Pilgrim chose Peru. “It’s a big country and I thought I’ve never been to South America. I’ve really only been to Europe so it might be a big culture shock for me…plus I heard they have really great fruits.”

Located in South America, Peru is blessed with hundreds of different species of mammals and reptiles, and also species of birds that easily surpass thousands.

Pilgrim will breathe the same air as the Incas once did as she hikes to one of the (New) Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, walk through indigenous markets, and experience white water rafting.

Although thousands of activities awaits Pilgrim, she has a purpose inside her mind. “My main goal is to learn more Spanish but also help others that aren’t as lucky as I am, to be living in a house going to a school that I get to,” she said.