10-year-old Sasha Olsen went on a trip in the summer of 2021 with her family to Vietnam and Japan. She was shocked at the ocean's pollution levels and dying sea animals.
"We went on this trip and I was so1," said Sasha. "But when I saw the way the oceans had become, I got upset. I wanted to know why things were this way but couldn't find an2."
When she returned home to Bal Harbour, Florida, she grew even more3. She learned some of the4in South Florida had been closed by the health department because the5had too much bacteria (细菌)in it.
Sasha sought the6of her cousin, Narmina Aliyev. Together, they7 a nonprofit Organization —Iwantmyoceanback.8 the group started small, with friends joining together on weekends to 9the beaches in Bal Harbour. Recently, however, she has10 events to raise funds for beach cleanups and to 11to protection groups.
"It's12to bring awareness not just through doing cleanups and meetings, but to show people they can come together through their hobbies and13together to a common goal," said Sasha.
Sasha hopes to14their work to neighboring cities. "We really want to make ourselves visible and 15to all," said Sasha. "After all, in Miami the ocean is everyone's backyard. This is the best place to start."
