Help Me Become a Master Herbalist

Hello.

Who am I?

 My name is Andrew Benjamin (Sebastian is my pen/online name and will ultimately become my real first name.) and I believe in alternatives. Alternative medicine, alternative energy, alternative transportation, alternative and sustainable cities. These things do not supplant the technologies we have now. They simply work in conjunction with the current methodologies, until they are accepted by the general public. For instance, some hospitals are now offering reiki to their patients. Other hospitals have hypnotists who help people relax before surgery and deal with the pain after without the use of heavy medication.

What am I trying to raise money for?

The money I raise here on GoFundMe would be used for tuition to the Natural Healing College, in Stockton, California, and additional materials for my use to help me learn and begin my career as a Master Herbalist.
The tuition for the Master Herbalist Course is $1,404. An Alternative Apothecary is my ultimate goal, which would offer remedies and preparations for people to use in conjunction with whatever their primary care physician is prescribing to them, as well as offering them a multi-modal therapy of my own design. In addition, I would sell herbs and other natural products, and I would offer informal classes for people to learn simple preparations that they can make at home. I would also offer workshops and classes on reiki, and other alternative modalities that can be easily learned. Finally, I am asking for $1,561 to cover the overhead of doing this GoFundMe Project and any unforeseen expenses that may arise in my own project. The grand total for all of this is $2,965.

When will my project take place?

My schooling will begin as soon as my application and tuition are accepted by the school. I should receive the class materials within three to five business days from the date of my acceptance to their course. I hope to begin my schooling before May, 2013.

Where will my project take place?

Schoolwork will take place here, in my home. I have up to two years to complete the course, but I'm certain I can complete the coursework in a much shorter time-period.
 
Why am I raising funds?

 I'm raising the money because I am on SSD and SSI. These two checks barely cover my rent and utilities, as it is. Tuition out-of-my-pocket would take nearly five years to raise as long as there were no crisis or car repair or something else that would probably pop up over that time period.

I do not offer cures. I offer help, ways, and means for people to learn how to heal themselves. Please help me to raise $2,965 or more. Please give generously so that I can go back to school and learn more ways to help people. My main focus is fibromyalgia, COPD, and other similar illnesses, but I'm always open to finding new outlets for my knowledge.

Thank you for reading.