How it started
One day when I was 18 years old I had a vision that one day I would be leaving in Asia. However to teach didn’t come to me until later almost 30 years later. But what I did know is that my soul was taking me half way around the world to explore the cultures, traditions and languages. Crazy, right? It gets better…
Well in 2015 I had a chance to have met an amazing family from Shenzhen, China whom inspired me to make that dream come true (The Yang family) They welcomed me into their home and it just felt right from the start. Almost two years have past since then and that dream has finally come true. The students that I will be teaching in the coming days will be 12-18 year olds – a chance of a life time to be of service once again. To impact their education as well as mine, meanwhile to inspire as well as learn about their culture, tradition and language. Neat thing about it will be they will too. To learn one must teach.
Faith and hard work From vision boarding, faith, and hours of classroom work I have completed my TESOL certification (2017) and my third year of college.
It was suggested that I reach out to my friends, family members, companies, place of worship, colleagues to share the success as I am so reluctant to do sometimes.
I am writing to ask for your support with a project I’ve become involved with and is very important to me. Recently been accepted as a teacher for Boston Ivy Global, an educational organization, that places teachers into schools abroad. In just days I will be living in Beijing, China (Daxing providence) to teach in a public school and its a big jump. I said it would get better. It always does.
About the trip
During my stay I will receive a small living allowance from my school, enough to cover basic expenses while I serve as a teacher for the year. However, getting there won’t be easy, since the cost of volunteering on an international scale is significant. The cost of my placement, training, air travel, insurance and field support for the year is almost $5,000.
My Goal
I am trying to raise half of the volunteer commitment through extra work hours, grants, and several fundraising events, but I also need your help. A donation would help make it possible for me to contribute what I have to offer as a teacher. Every donator will receive a postcard from one of my students in China.
Donations should be made online Click Here to track the donations. Please note that GoFundMe will send you a receipt for checks or credit cards because all donations are tax deductible.
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions, ideas, or even if you know anyone who might be interested in this project. Even if you can’t donate, please support the cause by sharing my fundraising page with your family and friends.
Thank you so much for helping make this experience possible.
See ya on the other side of the Great Wall.
XieXieNi Tom Songer
Copyright © 2017 Thomas Sonegr