May hath begun—and I’m
kicking my fundraising efforts into high gear.
AFS ain’t cheap. Actually, that’s even an understatement, I’d say. Tuition for ten months in
French Belgium is $13,500, and I’ll also need another $1,000 for my expenses
DURING my exchange. So $14,500. I’ve never even dreamed of spending that much
money on a single thing--but I truly understand the value of the experience I'm about to begin, and I'd do anything to have it. (As long as it didn't involve breaking the law or losing limbs.)
But fortunately, I’ve already
managed to knock a huge chunk out of that. Through AFS, I’ve received three
scholarships, and I personally have saved a little over $1,000 working at Ben
Franklin and MindFair Books in Oberlin.
I’m down to $10,625.
That’s still a lot, but it’s
some how relieving to know that I’m even the littlest bit closer.
A single mother raised my
brother and me. When I was four, my mom decided to start her own business—a
bookstore. In 9/10 situations, I don’t considered this a hindrance, but in this
case, it sort of is. We’ve never had a lot of money, or anything. But the #1
thing I admire about my mother is the way she never lets anything keep us from
getting what we need. When I needed $200 to go to Columbus for Model UN, she
got it for me. When I needed
braces, she figured out a way to pay for it.
But $10,625?! She’s not just
going to find that for me, you know? I have to raise it. I’ll have all the help
I need, but I’m going to have to find it for myself.
My plan, very simply, is to
work my butt off.
First of all, I’ve kick
started a baking initiative. I’m going to be all over the place, selling people
cookies. (Today’s were peanut butter… a little over cooked which bothered me,
but eh. Tonight I’m making sugar with M&Ms.) And, maybe popcorn, too—but
that plan’s still a work in progress.
I’ve also got fundraisers
coming up: “Postcards from the Underground” and a tea.
I’m sending out a fundraising
letter to everyone who might want to give me a little money—whatever they can
give. That’s amazing.
Lastly, though: Sponsor and
AFSer. AFS offers an option where student can use their blog to raise money. We
just have to get people to check out our blogs, and people can simply donate. It’s
safe—the money goes through PayPal and is directly applied to my account.
To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn! button.
Thank you so much<3
j
