Brazil students give back

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - Everyone seems to want, want, want during the holiday season. But two Brazil teenagers are wanting to give this year.

While others are thinking about creating their own Christmas lists, two teenagers are thinking about making other's wishes come true.

“We start small business ventures and then we take the profits from those and also from fundraising. We choose an organization in a poverty-stricken area,” said Carli Coughanowr, co-founder of Nourish International.

Carli and her partner Mallory Harnish co-founded Nourish International.    

It's an organization that encourages students and communities to make an impact on those in need.

A junior at Indiana University, Carli has a passion for helping those struggling to find food in poverty-stricken countries.  

“I went to Poland on a mission trip, the summer after my senior year. And to see what little they have there and how much I have here,” said Carli. “And so to see that there, and how they’re struggling there compared to how we live here touched me very, very much.”    

Carli and Mallory have a big decision to make soon regarding which project to undertake at the IU chapter of Nourish.

“Next week, we will be deciding on whether we’re working with Pierre [Honduras] or with a Mother’s Wish Foundation,” said Carlie.

You've seen the PSA's on television with actors and public figures bring awareness to world hunger and poverty.

But according to Carli, you don't need to be a millionaire.

“I think anyone can make a difference if they set their mind to it. You can do anything you want to do, as long as you have the passion and the drive to do it,” said Carli.       

For Carli, knowing she's helping others, is the only gift she needs this holiday season.

Since its start, Nourish has expanded to 29 campuses.

Carli has also set up an online donation site for her travel expenses.

If you want to contribute to the project fund, you can send an  email to learn more about Nourish and about it's vision and values.

You can also visit the national website .