Unique Dad-Son US Road Trip Inspires Connections
Donation protected
Mtuseni and I are an unlikely pair: a white, middle class, gay, nonreligious American and a straight, Christian, black South African raised in a settlement shack. We first met as webcam mentors. Ten years later, we’re like father and son. I put Mtuseni through college in Johannesburg, encouraged him to do a service program through City Year, and guided him through many ups and downs on the road from teenager to young adult.
Due to economic conditions in South Africa, Mtuseni’s path has stalled. Yet despite living in a cramped, tiny space with no electricity or running water, he still wants to improve the lives of others and make the world better. Mtuseni has so much potential and so much to give. He’s truly special. See more about our experience here: LDDRoadTrip and Long-Distance Dad .
To celebrate our ten years together, we’re driving across America this September and October. We'll have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure ... and gather content for a documentary about our journey, both literally and metaphorically.
Trip Goals (It’s not just about us!)
> to have quality time together (we haven’t seen each other in five years)
> to enhance Mtuseni’s profile for potential career/education opportunities
> to learn and grow (because travel changes you)
> to encourage others to mentor young people
> to promote national service (Mtuseni is a proud City Year alum)
> to inspire people to reach across differences and make meaningful connections (everyone wins!)
It’s been said that it only takes one person to change a life. We’re living proof; we’ve both benefitted from this experience. And now we’re paying it forward. We’ll use social media, traditional news media, and small group talks to share our story and inspire others to reach out, take risks, and build relationships with people who are different. Because deep down, we’re all one global family.
Our road trip slogan is Explore. Discover. Share. Enlighten. Empower. Inspire.
You donation can help us spread this message of connection. Any contribution is helpful and appreciated.... and supplements funds I’ve saved for the trip, in-kind donations, and the hospitality of friends along the way.
Trip Budget ($10,000)
Hotels $6,000
Gas $1,200
Meals $2,000
Mtuseni Airfare from South Africa $800
Please share our campaign via social media and email. Visit our web site to suggest road trip tunes, fun sites to see, and offbeat local cafes. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. And we’ll see you ... virtually and in person ... on the road this fall!
Due to economic conditions in South Africa, Mtuseni’s path has stalled. Yet despite living in a cramped, tiny space with no electricity or running water, he still wants to improve the lives of others and make the world better. Mtuseni has so much potential and so much to give. He’s truly special. See more about our experience here: LDDRoadTrip and Long-Distance Dad .
To celebrate our ten years together, we’re driving across America this September and October. We'll have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure ... and gather content for a documentary about our journey, both literally and metaphorically.
Trip Goals (It’s not just about us!)
> to have quality time together (we haven’t seen each other in five years)
> to enhance Mtuseni’s profile for potential career/education opportunities
> to learn and grow (because travel changes you)
> to encourage others to mentor young people
> to promote national service (Mtuseni is a proud City Year alum)
> to inspire people to reach across differences and make meaningful connections (everyone wins!)
It’s been said that it only takes one person to change a life. We’re living proof; we’ve both benefitted from this experience. And now we’re paying it forward. We’ll use social media, traditional news media, and small group talks to share our story and inspire others to reach out, take risks, and build relationships with people who are different. Because deep down, we’re all one global family.
Our road trip slogan is Explore. Discover. Share. Enlighten. Empower. Inspire.
You donation can help us spread this message of connection. Any contribution is helpful and appreciated.... and supplements funds I’ve saved for the trip, in-kind donations, and the hospitality of friends along the way.
Trip Budget ($10,000)
Hotels $6,000
Gas $1,200
Meals $2,000
Mtuseni Airfare from South Africa $800
Please share our campaign via social media and email. Visit our web site to suggest road trip tunes, fun sites to see, and offbeat local cafes. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. And we’ll see you ... virtually and in person ... on the road this fall!
Organizer
Michael Beckett
Organizer
Andover, MA
