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Inspired to protect the Amazon, a 9-year old from suburban Ottawa has raised enough funds to protect 1,084 acres of Peruvian rainforest.

To do so, Kate Gorchakov raised over $542 by selling lemonade in her school and community. At the same time, she has kept a blog, Kate’s Lemonade Jar, to promote her efforts and inspire others to do the same.

Kate first learned about Rainforest Trust while researching conservation organizations fighting to save rainforest.

Her gift will help Rainforest Trust conserve Peru’s Sierra del Divisor for just 50-cents per acre. Thanks to a matching gift challenge from an anonymous supporter, the impact of her gift will be doubled.

Kate’s Lemonade Stand: Open for business!  © Slava Petrenko

Raising money for the Amazon. © Slava Petrenko

Saving the rainforest never tasted so sweet! © Slava Petrenko

The Sierra del Divisor is besieged by many threats, such as the development of a transcontinental highway stretching across Brazil and Peru. Kate’s donation will help support the permanent protection of 5.9 million rainforest acres by establishing Sierra del Divisor National Park, White Sands National Reserve, as well as granting land titles for 57 indigenous community territories.

In Kate’s words, “Last year I wanted to make a lemonade stand so I asked my parents and they said ‘yes!’ Later, I learned that the Amazon rainforest is in danger and it’s getting destroyed bit by bit. A year went by but I didn’t forget about the rainforest.”

Kate and her parents decided to sell lemonade to fundraise and spread the word in their community. Together they purchased a cooler with wheels, constructed a lemonade stand and created colorful banners to tempt the eyes of those passing by.

To advertise her charity, named simply, “Kate’s Lemonade Jar,” Kate and her mom created a blog with information about the Amazon rainforest, ways to help and even their delicious lemonade recipe.

On May 7^th, Kate did her first rainforest fundraising event in coordination with Jump Rope for Heart at her school. “Everyone was very excited! Every class had Jump Rope for Heart activities throughout the day which made them very thirsty for lemonade.”

Not only did Kate and her classmates have fun supporting their cause, they found it resonated with others as well. One student even saved $100 of her allowance to donate for the rainforest.

After the success of her first event, Kate is more determined than ever to continue helping the Amazon. She is already planning her next fundraiser event at her school’s BBQ day on June 10^th.