NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!

We have exciting news to share- thanks to generous support from our friends and family, we have reached our personal fundraising goals.  However, there is more to be done!  The additional money that is being raised will enable us to contribute to paying for food for the children and other supplies they need for their school and day-to-day needs.

We have therefore increased our online target amount to $3500.  This site will remain open throughout our stay (until early August).  Your donations will go to provide food for the school children, teaching supplies and other daily needs.  Your contribution is completely tax deductible.

Thank you for your continued support and love!

Hello everyone! 
 
Thank you for visiting our fundraising page!  We are really excited to be able to travel to India this summer for five weeks to teach music and core subjects to the children at Shanti Bhavan (near Bangalore in southern India).  We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Artists Striving to End Poverty (ASTEP).  This amazing organization connects artists with opportunities to serve communities around the world.  The goal of all ASTEP volunteers is to use the arts as a tool to empower young people with creativity, knowledge, and a strong sense of self-esteem, factors which help them advance their lives and communities.  The school at Shanti Bhavan provides education and support for children and orphans from the most impoverished backgrounds, formerly called the “untouchables” in the Indian caste system.  

We will be giving a piano/cello recital, teaching private lessons on our respective instruments, working with the school chorus, teaching general music and core academic subjects like English and math (and anything else that might be needed!)  We cannot wait to meet the children and see what we can create together during our time at the school. 
 
We are looking to raise $2,600 to help us offset some of the cost of this experience.  Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.   Each dollar you can spare is a way to directly offer these children music, art, and education through us- and we promise to give them our very best.   

Please take a look at the www.asteponline.org for more information about this project. 
 
Thank you so much for your generosity and support- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!