living-volunteering-loving pohnpei
September 2015
Hey everyone! I am so thankful for all the support I've been given so far in my journey on this amazing island.
Just a little update....
Things are much more expensive then anticipated and I am hoping to raise more money to help my classroom!
I would love to pay for the lumber so I can have a front door to my class (currently we use a door that opens to the jungle and when it rains my students have to come in dirty from going through mud and puddles to get into my room), fans so my students don't continue to roast (it's at least +30 daily and we only get a mild breeze through our windows), maybe a new chalkboard or dream of all dreams, a whiteboard (mine chalkboard is worn and you can barely see what I write on most of it), and the ability to have enough lightbulbs for my class to be bright (I have 3 of 12 working currently), potentially a shelf that is not termite infested and about to collapse, and other necessities to make this year teaching oral english so fantastic.
The money I already raised paid for most of my resources, flight to los angeles, travel incidentals (I had to pay $300 on 2 airlines to get my large bag full of supplies here), pre-trip vaccinations and medical checks/clearance forms for my visa application), as well as the supplies that have helped me get my classroom to where it is currently.
Thank you to everyone who already supported me. I don't expect you to contribute again. I am working on my thank you's to you all and expect some excellent words said about you on my blog!
Also, I'm here for the long run! Nearly 2 months in and I know this is where I will be until June 2016. Miss you all and I appreciate all the great messages and words of affirmation I've received as I've set out on this journey!
Much love!
Crystal
JULY 2015 - JUNE 2016
I've made the decision to leave Canada for a year! Over the course of the above mentioned 11 months I will be working with WorldTeach in Micronesia as a volunteer teacher.
This wonderful part of the world is a subregion of Oceania. Within that subregion are 6 countries, 1 of which I will call home for almost a year. The Federated States of Micronesia (from here on when I refer to Micronesia I am referring to this specific country) is the country I will be based in and within that country I will be in one of three states, Chuuk, Pohnpei or Kosrae. Recently I have found out I will live on Pohnpei! This is the island that houses the largest city (population approx. 26,000) and the government capital.
What I am asking for is for friends and family to consider donating to some of the fees involved in this experience.
I personally have paid the $2000 USD ($2500 CAD) deposit for my year away. My hope is to raise an additional $2000 CAD to help cover some of the other costs associated with traveling AND money to buy supplies to enhance the experience of the students I will be teaching. A stipend will be provided on a monthly basis to volunteers during the school year. The monthly stipend for Micronesia is $300 USD. This stipend is intended to help volunteers meet basic daily living expenses at the local standard of living.
My fundraised dollars will go towards:
Additional fees: VISA application, additional health and travel insurance, airfare to and from my US departure city, wifi in my apartment (a luxury I hope to be able to afford), additional costs that will arise and increase my pre-departure anxiety
Student Experience Enrichers: mental health program kit (as many of you know I have been working in a mental health program these last 4 years and would like to purchase some of our best resources to bring with me), other resources as deemed necessary by my teacher friends! Additionally the cost of bringing these materials looks to be anywhere from another $100-$250.
Any money left over after all is said and done will be given to WorldTeach to help other volunteers to Micronesia in the future.
If you decide to donate, please continue to the bottom of the page and check out the Reward Levels I have set up as a way to say thank you to anyone who donates financially.
Additionally I have set up an Amazon Wishlist if you would specifically like to donate by purchasing a book from my list of resources I am gathering!
My Micronesia Amazon Wishlist
Please contact me if you need more information, you think I'm crazy, or you'd like to wish me well but cannot financially support me. I would love to know you are keeping me in your thoughts over the next year!
I laughed when Google Maps couldn't give me a route to Micronesia (not even when I asked it to fly me there). It's going to be a remote adventure, one that I'm ready for!
More information: WorldTeach Micronesia
Hey everyone! I am so thankful for all the support I've been given so far in my journey on this amazing island.
Just a little update....
Things are much more expensive then anticipated and I am hoping to raise more money to help my classroom!
I would love to pay for the lumber so I can have a front door to my class (currently we use a door that opens to the jungle and when it rains my students have to come in dirty from going through mud and puddles to get into my room), fans so my students don't continue to roast (it's at least +30 daily and we only get a mild breeze through our windows), maybe a new chalkboard or dream of all dreams, a whiteboard (mine chalkboard is worn and you can barely see what I write on most of it), and the ability to have enough lightbulbs for my class to be bright (I have 3 of 12 working currently), potentially a shelf that is not termite infested and about to collapse, and other necessities to make this year teaching oral english so fantastic.
The money I already raised paid for most of my resources, flight to los angeles, travel incidentals (I had to pay $300 on 2 airlines to get my large bag full of supplies here), pre-trip vaccinations and medical checks/clearance forms for my visa application), as well as the supplies that have helped me get my classroom to where it is currently.
Thank you to everyone who already supported me. I don't expect you to contribute again. I am working on my thank you's to you all and expect some excellent words said about you on my blog!
Also, I'm here for the long run! Nearly 2 months in and I know this is where I will be until June 2016. Miss you all and I appreciate all the great messages and words of affirmation I've received as I've set out on this journey!
Much love!
Crystal
JULY 2015 - JUNE 2016
I've made the decision to leave Canada for a year! Over the course of the above mentioned 11 months I will be working with WorldTeach in Micronesia as a volunteer teacher.
This wonderful part of the world is a subregion of Oceania. Within that subregion are 6 countries, 1 of which I will call home for almost a year. The Federated States of Micronesia (from here on when I refer to Micronesia I am referring to this specific country) is the country I will be based in and within that country I will be in one of three states, Chuuk, Pohnpei or Kosrae. Recently I have found out I will live on Pohnpei! This is the island that houses the largest city (population approx. 26,000) and the government capital.
What I am asking for is for friends and family to consider donating to some of the fees involved in this experience.
I personally have paid the $2000 USD ($2500 CAD) deposit for my year away. My hope is to raise an additional $2000 CAD to help cover some of the other costs associated with traveling AND money to buy supplies to enhance the experience of the students I will be teaching. A stipend will be provided on a monthly basis to volunteers during the school year. The monthly stipend for Micronesia is $300 USD. This stipend is intended to help volunteers meet basic daily living expenses at the local standard of living.
My fundraised dollars will go towards:
Additional fees: VISA application, additional health and travel insurance, airfare to and from my US departure city, wifi in my apartment (a luxury I hope to be able to afford), additional costs that will arise and increase my pre-departure anxiety
Student Experience Enrichers: mental health program kit (as many of you know I have been working in a mental health program these last 4 years and would like to purchase some of our best resources to bring with me), other resources as deemed necessary by my teacher friends! Additionally the cost of bringing these materials looks to be anywhere from another $100-$250.
Any money left over after all is said and done will be given to WorldTeach to help other volunteers to Micronesia in the future.
If you decide to donate, please continue to the bottom of the page and check out the Reward Levels I have set up as a way to say thank you to anyone who donates financially.
Additionally I have set up an Amazon Wishlist if you would specifically like to donate by purchasing a book from my list of resources I am gathering!
My Micronesia Amazon Wishlist
Please contact me if you need more information, you think I'm crazy, or you'd like to wish me well but cannot financially support me. I would love to know you are keeping me in your thoughts over the next year!
I laughed when Google Maps couldn't give me a route to Micronesia (not even when I asked it to fly me there). It's going to be a remote adventure, one that I'm ready for!
More information: WorldTeach Micronesia
Organizer
Crystal Micheala Jackson
Organizer
Vermilion, AB