ABOUT ME

My name is Dimitra Parmaxi, I come from Athens, Greece and I am a Veterinary Nurse and a Geologist in the making! 



In 2018, I was chosen by Dr. Jane Goodall as a guest, for R&S annual youth conference in Windsor Castle, where I had the chance to spend a week with her and all the other participants, 25 people from  all over the world, to brainstorm on projects that make a change related to the people, animals and the environment. 


From November 2018 until today, I volunteer at Gongo, a remote village in Tanzania, with the NGO Wheeling2help. I participate in projects regarding women empowerment, education, hunger, health issues, reduce of the wildlife/human conflict in the area, as well as sustainable agriculture techniques. I spend a few weeks every year there, and Tanzania feels like my second home!

In September 21st, I was officially selected to join the 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition in March 2022 ( https://2041foundation.org/ ) and I am over the moon! 

WHAT 

In March 2022, I will be joining The 2041 ClimateForce Antarctic Expedition, participating at the "Leadership on the Edge" programme, which consists of seminars and workshops, regarding leadership developement, up-to-date climate change training and susutainability education. All these will take place on a ship, while cruising the Antarctic Penninsula and taking a glimpse of this vast, deserted, polar continent, which is critically threatend by Climate Change. 
For a girl (me) that made imaginary speeches to her imaginary audience about the destruction of the environment at the age of 8, this is a HUGE deal! 



WHY I WANT TO GO

My whole life has been about the environment and the animals. Ever since my mother bought me my first books of animals and dinosaurs, I made it my life's purpose to protect them and their habitat, however I can. Meeting Dr. Jane Goodall was a milestone, one of the many I want to achieve, so I can educate myself as much as I can about the problems our planet is facing, and that is why I grab every opportunity to make a change.
For those of you who know me, you have already understood what joining this expedition means for me, but for those of you who do not, you can see my work in Tanzania.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGp725rTEjw
https://vimeo.com/553858814
It was a commitment I made to you and myself first, which evolved into a strong relationship and long-term volunteering process, thanks to the help of everyone who donated an amount of money so I could travel there. 



This kind of commitment urged me to apply for a place at the expedition, and after completing the three stages of the process, they selected me because my passion, experience, and leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to the team, as they added. 
I attach the letter of selection to give you a more clear idea of my role in the ''Leadership on the Edge'' programme.

COST BREAKDOWN

Even though I was selected, I still have to spend 20,000 $ or 17.000 euros for the expedition.
In the cost are included my air transfer to and from Argentina, the equipment I am going to need for the polar temperatures, my meals, as well as the participation in all the seminars and workshops, costs for the ship's fuel and my accommodation for those nearly 2 weeks.
I only put 5.000 euros for crowdfunding as it seems more achievable and it will be a good start, until I hopefully manage to get a sponsorship!

All donors will receive an Antarctica photograph taken by me!

The highest donation will receive a photo of his/her name in the Antarctic landscape!

For any further information, do not hesitate to contact me at dimitraparma@gmail.com

Thank you for you time!