Sister Cities Delegation to Japan

My brother, Gabriel, and I have been honored to be selected as representatives of the City of Santa Cruz on the Sister Cities Delegation to Shingu, Japan, for Spring 2017. This is an annual delegation of carefully selected Santa Cruz students from 8th to 10th grades who will visit Shingu as cultural ambassadors of Santa Cruz and of the United States. This program is designed to promote understanding and mutual appreciating between cultures. We are thrilled and extremely honored to have been selected.
Having been chosen to be part of this delegation, my brother and I are in need of funds for airfare ($1500 each), language and culture classes, and other expenses for the program ($850 each), which will be due within the next few months (January, February, and March 2017).   Being underage, we cannot yet legally work, so any donations would be extremely appreciated. Thank you for your generosity and support!