Dear friends and family,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

I am really looking forward to returning to the Shanti Bhavan school outside of Bangalore, India again this summer and teaching through the non-profit Artists Striving to End Poverty. Last year, my experience was incredibly moving and inspiring. I had the opportunity to teach 4th grade science, 7th grade English, Grammar, Spelling, and Creative Writing, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade theater, 9th and 10th grade English Literature, 11th grade personal statement writing, and college interviewing with 12th grade, as well as choir and guitar. Every day was filled with hard work, love, and a lot of laughter!

Shanti Bhavan is a K-12 school built for dalit children - children of the "untouchable" caste in India. Through Shanti Bhavan, these children have access to quality education and the opportunity to transcend poverty and discrimination in order to reach their full potential and fulfill their dreams. I'm delighted to report that all of our first twelfth grade class will be graduating this June and attending college after receiving high marks on their national exams!

This summer, I will be teaching at Shanti Bhavan for three weeks. As part of my work there as a teacher and freelance writer, I intend to collect more of the students' stories in an effort to share them with a larger audience so that the village supporting these children can multiply.

I am fundraising in order to offset some of the cost of this trip. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. I am grateful for your help, and I promise to give my very best to the students of Shanti Bhavan in return for your support!

Please feel free to learn more about ASTEP and Shanti Bhavan by visiting the following websites: www.asteponline.org and www.shantibhavanonline.org.

Many thanks -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!