This holiday season I am supporting Translators without Borders (TWB). I decided to run this fundraiser because I believe we really need to be ready for what’s coming in 2021. All of us do, not just the privileged among us that speak a 'majority' language (me!).

My goal is to fundraise $600 by 25 December 2020. Please support me, spread the word about the campaign and the importance of language in creating a just and equitable world.

What am I doing to fundraise? 
Well this year Axel and I were planning to get married (thanks covid). One of the most exciting parts of the wedding was that I would have the chance to show my friends and family the place that I have decided is home - Uppsala, Sweden - since most have never had the chance to visit me here! So, instead, I’m going to have a virtual tour. For every $100 that I raise, I will 'take' you to a new part of Uppsala and 'show you around'. I will take photos, tell you about the history and share with you my favourite parts of this wonderful place. 

Why should I care I hear you ask?
Well, Uppsala is one of Sweden’s ancient cities. Its the main pagan centre of Sweden - the home of the Viking royal burial mounds and the key temple containing magnificent idols of Norse gods. Its the ecclesiastical centre of Sweden, the seat of the Archbishop of Sweden and home to Scandinavia's largest cathedral. Founded in 1477, we have Uppsala University, the oldest centre of higher education in Scandinavia, which has done a bunch of cool stuff like invent the Celsius scale. It has the original castle, is the birthplace of people like Carl Linnaeus (one of the world’s most notable botanists and scientists), home of many runes right near a 6th century Silver Bible, one of the world’s oldest and most extensive Gothic codices. It brings a love of fika, snow and endless summer sun. There's a lot going on here and I want to share it with you for Christmas. Plus, donating is much better than getting me a Christmas or wedding present!

Want to know a bit more about TWB?
TWB believes in a world which knows no language barriers. They work with a network of more than 30,000 volunteer translators, who have already translated over 5 million words related to COVID-19. TWB also harnesses cutting-edge language technology to give power and a voice back to communities in crisis, who lack access to information in their own language. TWBs work has never been more important. They're working hard to bring more voices, and more languages, to the global conversation about COVID-19, equality, and our future. That's why I am supporting their Language for a Just World holiday campaign.