My name is Ben and I am fundraising to help change someone’s life.

More than 20 years ago, a Costa Rican family hosted me for the summer while I participated in the AMIGOS Program. It was a life-changing experience for me to live in a rural, poor, and extremely remote part of Central America.

My host family’s nephew, Jose Pablo, is the first of his family to go to college. My goal is to bring Pablo to California for 3 months to help him advance his studies and further a career in industrial engineering. He has been accepted to an English Language program in San Rafael; all we need are the funds to pay for his trip and studies.

Aside from returning the gift I received 25 years ago, I believe that in a world of increasing division and polarisation, international exchange is one of the best methods to bring people together.

Will you help with a donation to make this dream come true?

Below is the story of how I met Pablo, and why I think this effort is important.

Thank you for your help,

Ben

BACKGROUND

When I was in high school, I volunteered with Amigos International and lived with a Costa Rican family, the Gamboas, in the rural north of Costa Rica. I was welcomed into their household, learned Spanish and got to know the entire family.

One of the family members I connected with was Geovanny. This past year I returned to the same rural community with my own family, and was once again

welcomed into the Gamboa family. Geovanny has a family of his own, including his 20 year old son, Jose Pablo.

Jose Pablo is in his senior year of Industrial Engineering at the Tecnologico de Costa Rica. This is particularly impressive because his family comes from modest means, earning their income from farming and ranching just a stone’s throw from Nicaragua. He’s exceptionally bright; I was appropriately humbled when I sat down to place chess with him and learned he’d been the junior champion of Costa Rica.

He will be the first of his family to graduate from college. He’s kind and loving with his brother and younger cousins, intellectually curious, and works hard on his English skills.

In order for Jose Pablo to attend the intensive English program (2 months) at Dominican University in San Rafael, CA, he needs $4,500 to cover his costs. This amount is comprised of:

$ 700 Airfare (if you have miles you can donate, please lmk!)

$ 3,500 Tuition

$ 300 visa fees

$ 0 Food, Lodging and Transportation (covered by us)

Our family looks forward to housing Jose Pablo to return the hospitality that his family has repeatedly shown to us. Your donation of any amount will help Jose Pablo to study and experience the United States.