Trekking Expedition in the Himalayas!
I'd like to ask for a moment of your time to consider a very important request.
My life experience so far has taught me that knowledge often comes wrapped in the arms of adventure; life lessons are best learned through another language, and maturity and truth are only discovered through personal experience.Since childhood, I have been all but swallowed whole by a desire to find adventure in every corner of the earth. As I have grown up, I've come to realize the impact of my travel experiences on my self-development. Being immersed in various cultures provides me with a newfound perspective of human nature and a deeper understanding of myself. All I've ever wanted was an opportunity to manifest my childhood dreams- the opportunity to climb mountains.
As my Junior year in high school came to a close in June, I was presented with this very chance. My Dad (Nigel) and I have been invited by our family friends (a world famous Cultural Anthropologist and his daughter) to join them and a select few others on a three-week long trekking expedition in the Himalayan mountains. Wow! Never in a millions years had I expected to be offered the incredible opportunity at the age of 16 to travel to India with my dad! We will be hiking through Sikkim, in Northern India, a spectacular mountainous area which has rarely been viewed by anyone other than the indigenous culture for thousands of years. We will be home-staying with local villagers, visiting monasteries, and exploring regions that are virtually untouched by western influence! I'm especially looking forward to living and working with the villagers and making life-long friends. It's truly a place rich in culture, natural splendor, and spiritual significance.
My interest in Eastern philosophy, world traveling, and diverse cultures has made me absolutely determined to seize this opportunity. To me, this is more than a chance to travel and experience the world. I am taking this on as my personal coming-of-age journey. This trip is not being handed to me as other travel experiences might have been in the past. In the coming months, I will be working nonstop to raise the money needed for this adventure.
Why am I asking for YOUR help?
Not only is the actual trip going to provide me with invaluable life experience and knowledge, but the process of preparing for the trip is of equal value and importance. The trip is a big expense and family resources are tight, so this is going to be a very challenging task. Fund-raising for the trip gives me the perfect opportunity to demonstrate my motivation. By working hard to reach my financial goal, I will gain a greater appreciation for the value of this expedition.
YOUR SUPPORT IS MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED
The cost of the trip is approximately $4,500 U.S.
Dad and I have agreed to split the price, meaning that I need to produce $2,250 by October 1st. However, in order to secure a place in the group I have to come up with the commitment deposit of $1,000 by July 20th, 2012. (a few days after my 17th birthday!)
In order to do this, I am getting a summer job but must rely heavily on donations from my close friends and family to meet the early deadline. With your generous support, I am confident that I can reach this swiftly approaching first deadline.
If you are financially able, I would greatly appreciate a monetary contribution of your choice to my travel/life experience fund. Every dollar will help! With your donation, I will be giving a portion to a charity in India because I wish to make this opportunity beneficial to more than just myself.
I am so grateful for you considering my request and thank you in advance for helping fund an adventure that will surely be a unique educational life-changing experience!
I plan to learn as much as I possibly can from this truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure so I may journey on into adulthood with a valuable understanding of myself and the world around me. Your kind generosity will help me achieve a life-long dream and kindle the fire of my desire to make a meaningful impact on this amazing world we share!Sincerely,
Cayla Benjamin
