This December, I'm hosting a Writing Retreat in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka, and I've invited our friend Karen to come along and work as my Teaching Assistant. In exchange for her service, she'll be participating in the workshop for free, and her room and board has been drastically reduced.

All she really needs is airfare. 

As most of you know, Karen has spent past last year living in an Atlanta suburb, taking care of her sick mom. It's been an isolating and emotional experience. This trip would mean so much to her— and she would be an incredible asset to the group. 

Karen and I worked together at Washington Heights CORNER Project, where I've taught a series of memoir-writing workshops. At WHCP, Karen began as my assistant and went on to lead her own poetry workshop, funded by Poets & Writers Foundation. 

Your donation will go towards her plane ticket, room and board and any other travel-related expenses (such as transportation to and from the airport).
 
For more info about the retreat, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/995029250580649/

Read Karen's writing here: 

http://fivequarterly.org/karen-ladson/

http://www.nailedmagazine.com/editors-choice/actual-space-as-the-adjective-karen-ladson/