So if you are here you are wondering what all "this" is about. Why does she want to go to Peru? Furthermore why does she want me to support her in going to Peru?? All good questions. Ones I will gladly (and specifically) answer. Although you should know, some answers may be longer than others, and the required background may take a smidge of your time to get through.
You know how sometimes things just come together and you realize that "this" is the direction you need to head towards? Even when that direction may seem a little crazy or even unattainable to everyone else! Well, let me tell you how I came to decide that going to Peru was the direction I needed to head toward. In the last year or so I have been through a divorce, left a well paid corporate job, started my business in Real Estate, experienced additional personal disappointments, and struggled with my health to boot. Now before you think I believe I am a victim let me clarify. I tell you about these experiences so that you will understand that the last year or so of my life has seen dramatic change. I am grateful for the changes. They were hard. Really really hard. Along the way however I have started to learn some pretty important stuff. Learn about myself. Learn about priorities. What I realized is there is a next step in the process that is much different than the steps before. What I started to feel is that how at this point I want/need to learn, share, and give in a way I have never quite done before.
Ok so back to the present and the story part. During a conversation with a good friend she made a comment that I, "should pull an Elizabeth Gilbert and head out on a trip alone" (EG is the author of Eat, Pray, Love and quite a phenomenal lady follow this link for her TED speech on creative genius: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html ). "Wow" I thought she is totally right. This personal evolution of mine is still really in the beginning stages. As I headed into 2010 and towards the 39 year mark, I promised that I would continue to open myself to learning and experiencing new things and to remembering my priorities. That has resulted in an unleashing of creative aspects of myself and a broadening of friendships with people in the community of Knoxville in general. I don't have cable TV so I spend my free time reading my favorite authors and finding new ones to devour. I alternate between poetry, various types of philosophy, and great fiction. I make sure my daughter comes before work and that money does not dictate my decisions. Why is this important? Because it is not who I was a year ago. Even though clearly I loved my child, the arts, reading, and creativity, I was consumed by work and status and a lot of other "stuff". It is also important because ultimately I am seeking betterment. I am seeking to apply how my life altering experiences and gifts can be given to others in order to continue to broaden my perspective and better communities.
Ok so by now you are thinking "she still hasn't told us anything about Peru and why she wants to go there!!". I promise we are getting there. Back to being like Elizabeth Gilbert. I think we all know as a mom and a professional in the Real Estate business I can't leave for a year or even really a month like EG. But two weeks I can handle. I thought "I do want to travel alone and to somewhere I always wanted to see but never thought I could. And also, "I don't want a 'vacation' I want to do something amazing!". So that was it. Where have I always wanted to go and never thought I would? Umm hopefully you are saying PERU!! What am I passionate about? Knowledge, learning, arts, and well I am a mom and a woman (slightly obvious that one) so women and children's issues are huge for me. So there it was! I decided I want to go to Peru and volunteer. After much research I found that United Planet is just the organization to help that dream come true! Take a look at their link and you will see why: http://www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-in-peru/. I have applied for a 2 week Quest to assist with an aftercare program for disadvantage street children and orphans. Today, my birthday, is my final interview for acceptance into the program.
Now I think you can see from the explanation above that I don't have the funds I used to a year or even two years ago. Starting a new business is pretty tough (did I mention I am also working part time to support my new business). However, I also said I would not allow money to dictate my decisions. I believe that my community (which is much bigger than any of us realize) is willing to step out on a limb and support me in an effort to go make a difference. Believe me it will make a difference in my personal journey and the lives of many other people as well. As one of my favorite inspirational people Marcus Aurelius says in his great work Meditations, "Not to assume it's impossible because you find it hard. But to recognize that if it's humanly possible, you can do it too (6.19)".
So let me break it all down:
Where I am going: Cusco, Peru
When am I going (tentative): May 17th-June 1st, 2010
What I am doing: Volunteering for 30-40 hours a week, for two weeks, to help disadvantaged children
Who I am going with: Alone but through the non-profit organization United Planet
What I need: Funding of $3,700 dollars (Please see a detailed listing of my financial needs below)
How you can give:
My fundraising page: http://www.firstgiving.com/shannonfoster
(tax deductible b/c United Planet is a non-profit; funds go directly to UP and you can use your debit/credit card to donate).
Come to my fundraiser on Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at Preservation Pub from 5pm-7pm. (can you see I am confident I will be accepted?)
Other ways to give: Get in touch with me at 865-617-8287, through Face Book, or Twitter and I will give you an address or additional information on where you can send support.
There is no amount that is too small...every little bit makes a difference!!
(See FAQ's below that contain additional information)
What else do I need? Your support not only in donating (did I mention it is tax deductible) but if you think it is kinda cool that a (almost middle age) chick is willing to brush up on her Spanish, trek down a few thousand miles to Peru and help to teach and support a lot of amazing children, then please pass this along to your friends. My guess is they may think it is pretty nifty too and want to help out. I forgot to mention my other motivation is I want my daughter to see me role modeling the behaviors I would want her to exhibit. She will be able to do a trip like this when she hits 16, and I hope to be the one who inspires that choice.
I should also say that I didn't start this blog just to raise money. I am going to blog about this entire process. I will post information about Peru (I mean we all know I am going to be reading), my experiences volunteering, learning Spanish (again), fundraising progress, and also all about my life when I get To Peru in 2010! I will also be able to post video blogs which should be especially awesome when I arrive in Peru. You can also follow me on Twitter at toperu2010.
FAQ's:
1. Why don't you volunteer here? There are plenty of kids in our country that need the help?!
Great question and there is a two part answer (I already warned ya'll some might be longer):
a: For 10+ years I gave money monthly and/or quarterly to non-profit organizations which ranged from helping Native American Children, FOP, Fire Department of Knoxville, Knox Heritage, Susan Komen, IJAMS Nature Center, etc. I have supported friends and family in charity races to raise money for MS and Cancer research. I have personally done races and triathlons that raised money for various terminal illnesses and Children's Hospital. I also donated time chairing a committee and in other capacities to my own neighborhood organization to showcase and support the community in our transitional neighborhood. Furthermore through 10 years with GAP Inc. I regularly donated to United Way and spearheaded various charity events with my stores. I am also a volunteer committee member for the Knoxville Area Association of Realtors Diversity Committee. In addition, Sophia and I have been looking to volunteer at a local Animal Rescue organization. I asked her to choose something she was passionate about, and we have narrowed it down to two possible organizations (more to come on that later). So my point is I do give here at home; however, the main difference is currently I have more time and not so much money. That is why I need your support!
b: I also feel like going to someplace so vastly different will be an amazing growth experience for me personally. Quite frankly I don't think it is a bad idea to be good global citizen as well a good national/local citizen.
2. Why don't you go to Haiti? Isn't it worse there?
Goodness knows Haiti is a horrible situation. However, aside from my personal excitement over visiting Peru there a lot of other great reasons. Did you know they suffered severe flooding near Cusco but it wasn't bad enough to be declared an international disaster so no extra help is on the way? Many families are living in tents!! Sometimes when something as horrible as what happened in Haiti occurs we might forget that there is still help needed elsewhere. Believe me I expect this trip will make me more passionate about going to many other places and doing the same thing!!
3. What if you raise more than you need? How do we know the money I/we donate is really going to that?
First of all if/when I raise more than I need I am going to cry and then shout cheers of joy!! If I raise more than I need then it will be applied to another volunteer trip. As I said in the last question I have no doubt that this will be something I do again. So you have my commitment that I will use any additional funds for further volunteer work through United Planet. Maybe everyone can even vote where I go next time!
Well there are a couple ways to know where the money is going. First you can donate on my page (look for the link in a future blog). That will track it for you. I am also planning at least one local fundraiser. Any cash funds will be deposited in a separate bank account at a local credit union. In addition, I am going to mention each person's name that donates on my blog (unless directed otherwise), and I will track the cumulative amount of the donations on the blog weekly. I guess folks there is some level of trust you need to have that I am not the kind of person to misuse my friends' or friends' friends' or business partners' donations. The choice is yours of course.
4. Why do you need $3,700 that seems like a lot of money?! Are you paying for anything??!
Ok here is the break down:
Plane Ticket from ATL to Cusco: $996-$1135
United Planet Fees: $1665 (Please see the UP website for specifics on how the money is used)
Personal Costs: $900 (Because I am self employed I have no paid vacation so I need assistance paying a portion of my rent, utilities, phone, and child care while I am gone).
Total: $3700
I am paying for:
Vaccinations
Visas
Any necessary travel items needed (clothing, toiletries etc)
Travel cost from Knoxville to ATL
Any incidentals in Peru (food outside provided meals, gifts, extra excursions, transportation etc)
So there it is the beginning of my adventure To Peru in 2010. Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and any questions here. I hope you can come along to help and watch me become a Global Volunteer in 2010!
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