SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Volleyball seniors Maggie Malaney and Aubrey Kenny organized the donation of St. Francis volleyballs while on a service trip this summer in Nicaragua. They traveled with current classmates with the Global-7 non-profit organization service trip to Nicaragua.

“I thought the language barrier was going to be a big problem,” said Malaney. “The kids did not know your name and I can’t speak Spanish so it was hard to communicate with them. But the hugging (was universal) and they were truly grateful.”

They joined classmates Julia Coss, Melia Dowd, Sydney Ranker and Quinn Ruggles on the trip and in the fundraising for the trip.

Global-7 is an international non-profit founded on the basis that seven high school students would fuel sustainable social projects in the developing world. Started by a 17-year-old young woman in Sacramento, Global-7’s first achievement was in Los Platanos, Argentina in 2008.

The mission statement for the group this year was ending the cycle of poverty through education. 

They worked at an all-girls orphanage and two coed schools in the city of Granada.

“Our goal was to donate money so we could give scholarships to students there who want to go to universities in the future,” said Kenny. “We had several events including a garage sale, events at local business and added funds left over from last year. They could not go last year and their funds helped us give more scholarships.”

Overall, the group raised more than $24,000 for scholarships.

“The amount of love the girls showed us from the moment we stepped off the bus and came up and hugged us was incredible,” said Kenny. “They were so thankful for our presence and that we were there. It was a rally cool experience.”

One of the highlights included passing out some volleyballs donated by the St. Francis Athletics Department.

“They appreciated the little things, every little thing that we did,” said Kenny. “They said thank you and were so appreciative.”

Both student-athletes were chosen for the trip by St. Francis volleyball alumnae. Each year the participants are chosen by the students from the previous year’s group.

“I was so honored to be picked and having someone think highly of you to do the job,” said Malaney.

The trip was life-changing and instilled a new level of service in the Troubies, especially for people here in their own hometown.

“It has sparked something in me,” said Malaney. “There are people here in the Sacramento community that we can help without traveling. We really brought the gratitude back. We take so many things for granted, Watching the girls was really eye-opening.”

Malaney and Kenny are both returning letter winners on the varsity volleyball team in 2017. The Troubadours open the season with the Foundation Game against Roseville on August 28.