Hi Everyone!
As many of you know, I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Social Justice & Human Rights at Arizona State University. I just finished my first year in the program and I feel like the program was made just for me! It is everything I hoped it would be.
One of the amazing things I get to do in the program is complete an internship of 135 hours. I have decided to take full advantage of this and will be completing my internship in Chiang Rai, Thailand starting at the end of June (as in: 1 month from now!!!!). This is a dream-come-true opportunity for me. I will be interning with an organization called, The Freedom Story. They are a child trafficking prevention organization in northern Thailand (the Chiang Rai region is the northernmost region in Thailand). This organization uses school scholarships, mentorship, human rights awareness building, after school resources, sustainable farming, and ethical storytelling in their model of prevention. I cannot put into words how incredible I think this organization is, and how blown away I am to be able to intern with them. It's an amazing opportunity to advance my experience and knowledge in the line of work that I hope to be doing for the rest of my life. I've signed the internship papers, I've purchased the plane ticket, this thing is happening!
However, my current financial situation is one of a full-time graduate student existing solely on loans. The monetary amount I have received from my school, will not cover all of the expenses that I need to make it through the summer.
This is where I am asking for your help. There are still many items that I need to purchase before I leave for Thailand, as well as ones that I will need to purchase while in Thailand for two months. However, after spending the amount of money I received from ASU on my rent, phone bill, insurance, etc (I won't bore you) for the entire summer, the amount left over comes to about $100. in other words, groceries and gas for not even a month. So this statement is REAL:
I need you.
I KNOW that God has surrounded me with an amazing support system in Patterson, Portland, Phoenix and beyond, and I am both deeply humbled and overwhelmed with gratitude because of it. And if you would like to donate to my internship expenses, I would be truly moved and beyond grateful for your support.
Joyfully and expectantly looking forward to what God does!
~ Krista Loughman
Logistics:
My goal is to raise $2,000
I leave for Thailand on June, 22nd and return to Phoenix on August 27th.
Expenses before leaving:
Housing for 63 nights in Chiang Rai (most likely a hostel)
2 hopper plane tickets to get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Thai language tutoring for the 5 weeks before I leave.
Monsoon season appropriate clothing and shoes.
A voice recorder for interviews I will be conducting.
Travel insurance
Visa application fee
Bug repellent
Expenses in Thailand:
Food for 2 months
Occasional bus transportation
A cell phone plan while there
Laundry
Expenses I will still have to pay in Phoenix for the 2 months that I am in Thailand:
Rent
Cell phone bill
Car insurance
Renter's insurance
Electrical bill
Internet bill
There are a few other miscellaneous items, but you get the idea.