Established in 2016, Backpack International's founder, Oslyn Rodriguez visited her native country Guyana, South America after 14 years, to celebrate her grandfather's 85th birthday. 

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Her family held an outdoor gathering and invited children from the local village to share in the festivities. About 50 children arrived. As everyone sang songs and enjoyed food and drinks, Oslyn began to look around the village. She didn't see a playground or park. There was no community center or library. Many children were barefooted, and it was not by choice. Others wore tattered clothing. Later that day, Oslyn jotted down a few ideas about what she could do help these children.