Courtney Hotchkiss

Courtney Hotchkiss's Fundraiser

Help me raise my trip fee to volunteer with Restoration Works International in India image

Help me raise my trip fee to volunteer with Restoration Works International in India

Donate to help me help restore an important place!

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$620 towards $500

I'm finally doing it -- I've put down a deposit to volunteer with Restoration Works International! They are a nonprofit that uses volunteers and trip fee contributions to restore cultural heritage sites in local communities around the world. You all know my love of heritage sites and historic preservation, and I am excited to use my skills on a project abroad, to learn NEW skills, and to help revive a significant building and its community.

This April, I'll be contributing toward the transformation of the Bichli Haveli, a 140-year-old historic house in Udaipur, India, into a community and heritage resource center. This rehabilitation project will be headed by its descendants who still own the building, and the Project Architect is the current owner's daughter!

I chose this project because of its focus on historic preservation, its use of local supplies, the employment and training of locals (especially women at this site), and its aim to empower and encourage residents to celebrate their heritage. Over 90% of funds stay in-country and 85% go directly to the project. You can discover more about the project here: http://restorationworksinternational.org/india/

I chose the Restoration Works organization because of its excellent work on projects over the past 20 years and because of their dedication to preserving cultural heritage sites. I have been visiting their website for a couple of years and I just recently met someone on their Board at a "Women in Preservation" conference. That sealed the deal.

I'm so excited! Thank you for supporting me, in any form!!