Education4Alvin
Donation protected
First off, thank you so much for listening to our story.
I, Hannah Scott-Moore and my husband Logan Moore have grown up in and around Traverse City and Leelanau county and always have loved our home. Our relationship started at Traverse City West Senior High, we later traveled to university together and now are trying to begin our careers here. I finished my BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) last may with a major in Graphic Design. Logan has just finished his bachelors of business management and entrepreneurship this May.
Together with our university- Finlandia University we had the opportunity to be a part of the 13th annual Tanzania Service and Learning trip. It was life changing, astonishing, and truly unforgettable. Our trip consisted of a safari, a host family exposure and our most beloved part volunteering at a secondary school. At the school is where we spent the largest amount of our trip about two weeks.
We met countless amazing people. Exposed to a completely new way of life, and we loved every moment of it. While at the school we brought supplies for art activities and spent our days doing “mini-lessons” of games, English-leaning, and art activities with the students. Many students stood out, with their compassion for learning, dancing, and singing skills. Though for both my husband and I, one student stood out the most.
His name was Alvin.
He at the time was 14, and so eager for the life ahead of him. He talks of big dreams like attending school in the US, and becoming a famous dancer, or even comic artist. Our days soon became learning more about Alvin. Spending our evenings talking with him and his friends. We soon considered him family.
Alvin told us of his home life, which was far from ideal. His mother died when he was only 6 years old. His father unable to pay his school fees which often lead to the unfortunate reality that he would be kicked out of school for short bursts of time (the longest being a month and a half) until his father could again make payments once again.
We knew Alvin was special. He has talents worth bragging about, and a smile that impacts your soul when you see it. He eminates respect and genuinity. After hearing of him being kicked out of school, Logan and I got in contact with the school accountant. We learned just how in debt his father was to the school and decided to use my graduation money to help make a difference in his life. We were able to pay the back fees, which ensured that he would stay in school.
Logan and I both truly believe that schooling is so important. Especially in Tanzania.
When in Tanzania we were told to bring little gifts to give to the people who impact us the most. We were told we would have a small group of friends that would last a lifetime. That is true. Many students we still talk to. But Logan and I didn’t bring one gift. Instead we brought string, and taught the students how to make friendship bracelets. We made one with or for almost every single student at the school a little over 200 students.
After leaving Tanzania my husband and I have been working hard to find ways to raise money. One thing I did over the summer was make a bunch of the friendship bracelets like the ones I taught the students to make and sold them for a donation at my summer job. We raised a small chunk of change, which was able to pay for the rest of the 2018 tuition and part of Alvins 2019 tuition in Tanzania. We were even able to send some money so that Alvin could have a small Christmas.
Once we arrived home we instantly started researching next steps, what we can do. Adoption, hosting, anything. After talking with countless lawyers both here and Tanzania we have learned that the only option for us and for him at this point is to get him here on an F-1 Student visa. TC ST Francis is the only school in the area that we could work with, we thank them so much as they are accepting Alvin as a student. We are now in the process of visa applications.
Alvin calls us mom and dad USA and dreams of being able go be here to be a family. He tells us we are the first people to encourage to chase after his dreams, to study hard, and to truly believe in him in a long time. And that's all we can do now, is hope for and pray for the best.
We have set up a gofundme, and also sell t shirts on bonfire. You can also follow Alvins story on Instagram.
Bonfire.com/education4alvin
Instagram @education4alvin
I hope you hear our story and help us make this talented kids dreams come true. We want to give him a bright future. Something he might not have otherwise.
If for any reason Alvin is unable to come to the US to study, we will then still use the money to pay for education costs in Tanzania and will continue to try and get him here on a visa.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story
Here is a link to him dancing at the school talent show!
https://www.facebook.com/hannah.m.scott.10/videos/10216618580803098/
Again, Thank you!
-Hannah Scott-Moore, Logan Moore, and soon Alvin
I, Hannah Scott-Moore and my husband Logan Moore have grown up in and around Traverse City and Leelanau county and always have loved our home. Our relationship started at Traverse City West Senior High, we later traveled to university together and now are trying to begin our careers here. I finished my BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) last may with a major in Graphic Design. Logan has just finished his bachelors of business management and entrepreneurship this May.
Together with our university- Finlandia University we had the opportunity to be a part of the 13th annual Tanzania Service and Learning trip. It was life changing, astonishing, and truly unforgettable. Our trip consisted of a safari, a host family exposure and our most beloved part volunteering at a secondary school. At the school is where we spent the largest amount of our trip about two weeks.
We met countless amazing people. Exposed to a completely new way of life, and we loved every moment of it. While at the school we brought supplies for art activities and spent our days doing “mini-lessons” of games, English-leaning, and art activities with the students. Many students stood out, with their compassion for learning, dancing, and singing skills. Though for both my husband and I, one student stood out the most.
His name was Alvin.
He at the time was 14, and so eager for the life ahead of him. He talks of big dreams like attending school in the US, and becoming a famous dancer, or even comic artist. Our days soon became learning more about Alvin. Spending our evenings talking with him and his friends. We soon considered him family.
Alvin told us of his home life, which was far from ideal. His mother died when he was only 6 years old. His father unable to pay his school fees which often lead to the unfortunate reality that he would be kicked out of school for short bursts of time (the longest being a month and a half) until his father could again make payments once again.
We knew Alvin was special. He has talents worth bragging about, and a smile that impacts your soul when you see it. He eminates respect and genuinity. After hearing of him being kicked out of school, Logan and I got in contact with the school accountant. We learned just how in debt his father was to the school and decided to use my graduation money to help make a difference in his life. We were able to pay the back fees, which ensured that he would stay in school.
Logan and I both truly believe that schooling is so important. Especially in Tanzania.
When in Tanzania we were told to bring little gifts to give to the people who impact us the most. We were told we would have a small group of friends that would last a lifetime. That is true. Many students we still talk to. But Logan and I didn’t bring one gift. Instead we brought string, and taught the students how to make friendship bracelets. We made one with or for almost every single student at the school a little over 200 students.
After leaving Tanzania my husband and I have been working hard to find ways to raise money. One thing I did over the summer was make a bunch of the friendship bracelets like the ones I taught the students to make and sold them for a donation at my summer job. We raised a small chunk of change, which was able to pay for the rest of the 2018 tuition and part of Alvins 2019 tuition in Tanzania. We were even able to send some money so that Alvin could have a small Christmas.
Once we arrived home we instantly started researching next steps, what we can do. Adoption, hosting, anything. After talking with countless lawyers both here and Tanzania we have learned that the only option for us and for him at this point is to get him here on an F-1 Student visa. TC ST Francis is the only school in the area that we could work with, we thank them so much as they are accepting Alvin as a student. We are now in the process of visa applications.
Alvin calls us mom and dad USA and dreams of being able go be here to be a family. He tells us we are the first people to encourage to chase after his dreams, to study hard, and to truly believe in him in a long time. And that's all we can do now, is hope for and pray for the best.
We have set up a gofundme, and also sell t shirts on bonfire. You can also follow Alvins story on Instagram.
Bonfire.com/education4alvin
Instagram @education4alvin
I hope you hear our story and help us make this talented kids dreams come true. We want to give him a bright future. Something he might not have otherwise.
If for any reason Alvin is unable to come to the US to study, we will then still use the money to pay for education costs in Tanzania and will continue to try and get him here on a visa.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read our story
Here is a link to him dancing at the school talent show!
https://www.facebook.com/hannah.m.scott.10/videos/10216618580803098/
Again, Thank you!
-Hannah Scott-Moore, Logan Moore, and soon Alvin
Organizer
Hannah Marie Scott-Moore
Organizer
Traverse City, MI
