April 11, 2010
Friends and Family,
I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to South Africa this summer and teach underprivileged students as a teaching fellow for Teach with Africa (www.teachwithafrica.org). As Nelson Mandela recognized, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”
As you may know, I currently teach 7th and 8th grade science at a charter school in North Philadelphia. My school strives to close the achievement gap that currently exists in the public school system among students of low economic status. In the last 5 years of teaching children, I have seen the immeasurable difference that dedicated teachers make in the lives of their students.
Recently, I applied to become a fellow in a two-month summer program in which highly qualified teachers from the United States travel to South Africa to teach along side South African teachers in a charter-like school for underprivileged Cape Town and Johannesburg students. The LEAP school was designed, much like my charter school, to serve the students that were falling through the cracks of their social climate. LEAP schools have been modeled after American charter schools, in that they have extended hours and focus the majority of their instructional time on math and science, skills that can create positive outcomes for their students. One third of LEAP students are AIDS orphans, but the school focuses on overcoming obstacles and not letting your past determine your future. I would be serving children who have been abandoned by their government and their history after Apartheid. I would be giving them to opportunity to free themselves through education.
I was accepted as a fellow, but because of the economic condition, I was not granted funding for the trip. Room, board and airfare will cost $5,000 out-of-pocket. I am willing to do whatever it takes to enrich the lives of children who have been devastated by the legacy of Apartheid, but I need your help. Just click on the Contribute page on the Teach with Africa webpage (www.teachwithafrica.org). Every tax-deductable dollar you donate can go directly to my journey. If you make a donation, please also send an email to Amy Schoew, Executive Director (amy@teachwithafrica.org). Please let her know that your donation should be allocated for my trip.
In order to encourage you to contribute, and to show my commitment to this program, I pledge to match any donations made by my family members and friends through the end of June (to a maximum personal contribution of $1,500). If you have any questions for me, please email or call. Also, feel free to forward this email to anyone else that may be interested in taking part. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this life-changing opportunity.
Sincerely,
Josh
*For tax purposes, please note that donations are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, as no goods or services were exchanged for your donation. Teach with Africa Tax ID # is 26-1649233.
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