My name is Elliot and I am fifteen. I live in Kinston North Carolina which is a small town I have barely ever leave. I have never been out of the country and I have barely been out of the state.

My mom is disabled through the VA and we live on a fixed income. She has always done everything she can for me even while dealing with pain and limits every day. I have been trying to get a job to save up for something bigger but at my age no one has hired me yet. My family is not in a place to help with something like this so I am trying to do what I can on my own.

I have always dreamed of going to Japan not just to visit but to attend school there learn Japanese study music theory and learn piano. I want to experience more than what is around me and build a future that feels bigger than this small town. I want to grow learn and see a world I have only seen on screens.

Our dog passed away recently and it hit my mom really hard. She has been struggling and I want to give her something that could lift her up and give us both something to look forward to. A trip to Japan would be something we would never forget and something that would mean a lot to both of us.

I have looked into every discount and every option I can find. Even with all of that the lowest cost for a safe and comfortable trip is still over 1200 and that is something we cannot reach on a fixed income.

I am asking for help not just for a trip but for a chance to grow to learn and to give my mom something meaningful after everything she has been through. Any amount helps and even sharing this helps. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for supporting my dream and my moms happiness.