Kara has also been involved in international volunteer work through Hug It Forward, an organization that builds schools in Guatemala using “eco-bricks” – plastic bottles stuffed with non-recyclable waste to create durable building blocks.
In 2014, Kara raised $13,500 USD to fund the construction of a bottle school in Guatemala and travelled with a volunteer team to help build it. In total, she has returned five times to participate in school-building trips with the organization.
These projects not only create safe learning environments for children in rural communities but also help address plastic waste in areas where recycling infrastructure is limited.
For Kara, the experience was both humbling and inspiring – reinforcing her belief that community-driven solutions can create meaningful change both locally and globally.