I have spent the past year volunteering and living at the MATCH Charter Public High School in Boston as an AmeriCorps tutor and teaching assistant. My passion for education has led me to become a 5th grade math teacher next year at Uncommon Schools, a charter network in Brooklyn, NY dedicated to closing the achievement gap. Before I make the transition to teaching in Brooklyn, I will travel to Bangalore, India for the month of July to volunteer as a teacher at the Shanti Bhavan school (http://www.shantibhavanonline.org/).

The school started with 48 children and will eventually enroll up to 336 children. Shanti Bhavan is a boarding school for children from the poorest families and orphans, known by the caste system as “untouchables” or dalits. Given proper care, support and educational opportunities, these children will have a good chance of being successful in life. Through institutions such as Shanti Bhavan, the cycle of poverty and social deprivation can be overcome for most poor people. The multiplicative impact of major successes for those who are trained in Shanti Bhavan and their families will be permanent for generations.

I am asking for your help to try and offset a portion of the expense of my volunteering there. The money you would donate would go to help with the cost of the airline ticket, visa, and immunizations. Expenses unfortunately don't stop while I am in India and of course I will not be able to earn money while I am there, so this is why I am asking for your help. I am trying to raise the $2500 it will cost me to go. Know that ANY amount would help and that if you can’t help, that is TOTALLY ok as well. Your good thoughts for me will suffice. But if you are able to give something (anything), it would be very appreciated.