BATI MISSION

While teaching English abroad in Paraguay to disadvantaged youth, Bati Founder Taylor Ross was inspired by his work with Joel, a student he had helped get into UPENN on a full scholarship, who is now working at Google. Ross wanted to create a vehicle to continue supporting other students who dreamed of being the first in their family to graduate college.

He'd made amigos with some local leather artisans on his soccer team, and they invited him to their weekly Saturday asado at the shop - a beautiful tradition where the bosses slow cook tender cuts of meat starting at 7am and have lunch with everyone in the shop at noon.

Ross fell in love with the masterful hand-stitch technique the artisans employed to wrap items in leather (not to mention the five-star finger cuts of filets washed down with cerveza). He was hooked. Soon thereafter, Bati was born.

Bati is humbled that recent successes have allowed a bigger platform to tell the inspiring story of the ambitious students of the Macchi School - Joel's alma mater, a 7-12 grade prep school in Tobati, Paraguay, funded by Bati's philanthropic 501(c)3 non-profit partner in crime, Team Tobati. Most importantly, they've been able to continue supporting other students who share Joel's dream of becoming the first in their family to graduate college (Joel & Fam, Taylor, pictured above). 

Bati uses a percentage of proceeds to help students pay for extra English classes, college-preparatory courses, and college tuition.

 

Each Sale Helps a Paraguayan Student in Need

The Bati Fam has seen what's possible when these students gain access to the resources they need to succeed. It's the fuel that drives them on their quest to make a better life for themselves and their family. Some have become journalists, others doctors. Some have learned English and gone on to graduate from Ivy Leagues. But what inspires Bati is seeing all of them come back to their community and inspire real change. That's where the magic happens.