Another year, another Battle of the Bros! I lost my hair last year, and I (read, Kait) don’t want to let that happen again! So, for this year’s Battle, I’ve teamed up with Prasad Gankanda to take back the champion title. I’m happy to accept Josef’s rematch, because no matter who wins or loses (ahem, Josef), the funds we raise for the Young Living Foundation will change lives every day.

This year, we have a combined goal of $100,000, which is enough to fully fund our feeding program at the Young Living Academy, which provides healthy school breakfasts and lunches to each of our students throughout the school year. I remember when my family moved to Ecuador. Not only did I get to see from a young age the great example my Dad set by giving back in the community, but I also had a chance to attend the Young Living Academy right after it opened. Even though I was just a kid, I could see how much of a difference the opportunity to study at a school like the Academy made for my classmates. In an area where so many families aren’t sure when or where their next meal will come, my classmates came to school each day eager to learn and grow, even though many of them arrived hungry.

Did you know that worldwide, an estimated 230 million children under the age of 5 are suffering from malnutrition? This issue can cause lifelong effects with research consistently confirming that hungry students are more likely to score lower on standardized tests, have weaker immune systems, be suspended at school, drop out early, and experience lower paying jobs as adults.

This is why the Academy began serving healthy breakfasts and lunches each day at school, so that every child had the opportunity to focus on their studies, not hunger. Like my Dad said, “All children should have access to education and the resources necessary to grow into confident leaders.”

Prasad and I couldn’t agree more, which is why we’re fundraising to make sure no child at the Academy goes hungry! And now is your chance to help us make a difference. Help spread awareness while taking part in a fun, daring, and friendly competition between my brother and Ben, and Prasad and I. Donate to our team’s fundraiser by Friday, July 14 at 11:59 p.m., MT, and then share this fundraiser with everyone you know so we can blow our team’s $50,000 goal out of the water AND so we get the sweet revenge of shaving Josef and Ben’s hair!

And for updates on the action, follow me on Facebook and Instagram @jacob_young_yl, and Prasad on Facebook and Instagram @gankandaforever. Remember to show your support for #TeamPJYL by using this hashtag on social media and tagging us when you post!

Join us today! Every donation and every penny makes an enormous difference.