Samantha Bolton, a former volunteer with our Tanzania program, is a true force within the GIVE family. At just 20 years old, she’s already traveled the world with purpose and founded The Little Guy Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering voices through art and self-expression.

But Samantha’s journey is more than just inspiring; it’s a testament to the power of embracing life beyond the ordinary. Her story proves that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead you to a life filled with purpose and connection.

In an interview with GIVE, Samantha shared the pivotal moments that led her to where she is today:

“I’ve always been creative and academically driven. My goal was to become an aerospace engineer and eventually an astronaut. After years of hard work, I was accepted to MIT. But when I got the acceptance letter, I realized something important—I had spent so much time chasing this dream that I hadn’t truly lived. I realized there is MORE to life than this. I didn’t want to run myself ragged trying to get to space (literally) and look back on my life and not have lived.“

Growing up, Samantha’s family instilled in her a deep love for travel through cross-country road trips and family vacations abroad. This passion for exploring the world grew alongside her desire to make a lasting, positive impact. With a renewed perspective, she attended Georgia Tech University, where she dove into opportunities to create meaningful change. She studied abroad in Hungary, taking a non-profit leadership course, and interned as a videographer for a foster-care non-profit. These experiences shaped her understanding of the importance of empowering voices through creative expression, helping individuals share their own stories rather than speaking for them.

Samantha’s non-profit fosters a global network of individuals who use art to share their stories in a judgment-free space. Through her work, she’s amplified unheard voices and advocated for social change through intentional, creative expression. Her foundation has made an incredible impact both locally and globally. In Atlanta, she’s partnered with the YMCA to offer programs where children can discuss sensitive topics, such as gun violence, in a safe, creative space. Samantha has also hosted open mic nights where local non-profits and artists come together, providing a platform for formerly incarcerated or homeless individuals to share their stories and experiences.

Yet, Samantha’s journey didn’t stop there. After volunteering with GIVE in Kairo, she was inspired to continue her solo travel journey, which led her to Arusha, Tanzania. In true solo traveler fashion, Samantha quickly connected with locals and offered to help at a local orphanage. Her videography experience allowed her to showcase the beauty of the orphanage and the positive changes taking place there.

Her experiences in Tanzania are captured in the images below—each one a testament to the power of connection, creativity, and the desire to make a difference. <3

Currently, Samantha is traveling across South America, continuing her mission of empowering voices through art and self-expression. Her journey is a constant reminder that each individual has a unique story worth sharing. Samantha Bolton is living proof that when we choose to live with purpose and passion, we can create meaningful change in our world and inspire others to do the same.

And as she’s discovered, there’s so much more to life than we often realize. There are endless possibilities, new perspectives to explore, and lives to touch. When we leave our comfort zones behind, we open ourselves up to a world of experiences that can change not only our own lives but the lives of those we encounter along the way.