This post is being made to announce an important step in my trip process, my first official fundraising event. On Friday, June 21st, from 7-10pm, in my home town of Shirley's historic town hall, my family and I will be hosting a day of many activities. There will be a silent auction with a plethora of interesting items for sale, and musical performances. A multitude of people and musical groups have signed on, but if any one else is interested in performing or selling anything, I would be glad to hear from you!
More details will be announced soon, I hope you will be able to make it!
My name is Griffin Manning, and I am 16 years of age. I hail from the small New England town of Shirley, Massachusetts. I am a junior at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School, set to graduate in 2014. I am interested in drumming, music, writing, reading and technology. I am aiming to study abroad for a semester in Japan this summer through the first half of the 2013 with AFS.
Ever since my one of my teachers told my class how he went to Thailand for few years to be immersed in a different culture, I have been interested in studying abroad. At the beginning of my Junior year, I was a normal high school student; prepared to finish my junior and then senior year to then graduate like my peers around me. But suddenly I was shown a glimpse of something else, something different and exciting. Going to a completely foreign and new place, to see life and my experiences from a new perspective that people rarely have the chance to see, to be immersed in a culture I have always found deeply intriguing, but as different from American culture as I could perceive of is perhaps the most interesting thing I could ever hope to do. I hope to learn Japanese, (something I have always wanted too do), learn what it's like to be completely out of your element, and see the world through a new pair of eyes. Going to a Japanese high school for six months with only a preliminary knowledge of the language, customs, and culture is definitely the grandest ambition I have ever had, and I finally see a chance to make my dream a reality through AFS.
However, I am not able to fund this venture through dreams alone. I have been doing various odd jobs around my neighborhood and starting to work for a local business to save up. Almost everything I do for the next the few months will be related to preparing and saving for this venture. I am also planning things like benefit bake sales and concerts in the future. Hopefully, I will be able to raise enough money to achieve my goal. If my journey overseas is to come to fruition, my goal of raising $3,000 is an important part of what it will take for this experience. Even if I only receive 5 dollars, I will be eternally grateful to anyone who helps pitch in to change my life. Everyone has probably heard this line before, but this is something I am truly passionate about, and I sincerely mean it. To sponsor my AFS program, please click the Donate Now button to make a non tax-deductible contribution directly to my AFS program account.
If you know anyone who may be able to help my cause, please forward this blog link too them!
Thanks for everything and anything!
Griffin Manning
