Fund dream interview with Nat Geo as a freelance journalist

Hello all! My name is Damon and I am fundraising on behalf of my friend of 15 years, Michael Harding.

I can speak to Michael's heart being one of pure intent. I hope you read his words below and decide to assist him on his journey!

And now, the words from Michael himself:

Dear Friends And To All,

My name is Michael Harding, I was born and raised in Texas, USA. In 2007 I found my way to Alaska, where I met many lifetime friends and my dear friend Damon Cohen. I lived in Alaska for roughly three years, then made my way to Asheville, NC, Western North Carolina, Appalachia, USA. I decided to return to university/college to seek higher education and opportunity, it definitely paid off! I attended The University of North Carolina Asheville ( UNCA ) and earned my degree in Environmental Science and Geology. Through the journey of education and the gratitude and gratefulness of UNCA, I had the opportunity to conduct many research projects, including mitigation, studying the Southwest United States of America and the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and new faultlines occurring in Nevada, encompassing six states with three different Geologic research trips.

Towards graduation, I had the opportunity and traveled to India and was blessed to learn and understand the diversity and culture. During the same trip, after visiting the Ganges River in Varanasi, India, I headed north and found myself in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was in Nepal where I found great fortune in heart and met several dear friends for life. At the same time, I fully understood poverty, and it touched my heart to witness such sadness.

In 2018 I returned to Nepal to conduct my internship through UNCA and my Environmental Seminar course to be a teacher of English Science at the American GED Center of Nepal. The previous year mentioned above, I had met a wonderful Nepali friend who graduated from John Hopkins University with a Masters Degree in Environmental Law. He Owned the American GED Center of Nepal along with an American from Oregan, in which they were also the full time teachers. I was granted the opportunity to begin my teaching career and path, which I am so humbled and grateful for! At the same time, as I was teaching, my university back in the States, UNCA, granted me with the profound opportunity to conduct and earn extra college credits above required graduating hours to travel Nepal and conduct Geologic mitigation on hydraulic conductivity coinciding with landslides. This was also at the same time I was introduced to many Humanitarian organizations and leadership within charity involvements. We then began to network and tried creating our own Non Profit Organization! We visited many rural poverty stricken villages including Blind Orphanages, etc. My key partner at the age of 24 years old, native Nepali, passed away. It absolutely broke my heart.

Following my journey and work in Nepal, I returned to North Carolina, attended my graduation ceremony and continued my growth in the service industry, bartending, waiting tables, being a Supervisor, etc. I also was working many hours doing construction work and home remodeling. Carpentry, and seeking employment within the oil and gas industries. I didn’t find it rewarding to work within the oil and gas industries, I yearned to make a better difference with teaching and humanitarian work. So, I saved my money from working in both the service industry and construction fields, thus returning to Nepal in early 2019. Before I returned to Nepal however, I went on a voyage and exploration of the Middle East, ranging from Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and Qatar. I then arrived back in Nepal.

In 2019 I dedicated myself in Nepal to education, teaching, and education fairs as a representative. That’s also the same time I was connected with my dear sister Namita, who was selfmade from thirteen years of dedication to form her own NGO and Non Profit Organization, ‘Human Harmony Nepal’. We connected so wonderfully, taking many journeys to poverty stricken regions and teaching self-sustainability through teaching trades, such as sowing, horticulture, etc. Also bringing awareness to the destruction of what and how the locally made heavy rice wine alcohol was destroying families and communities. This is when I was appointed the Head Advisor for Human Harmony Nepal!

During the same year of 2019 in Nepal, I engaged in local Trekking Companies for itineraries in the Himalayan Mountains, and I began to become a content writer for the topography, the different regions and cultures, heritages, major landmarks, and the history of Nepal. Following this new endeavor, while continuing to teach and conduct Humanitarian involvements, I then was connected with a dear friend’s Brother n Law, and we embarked on a new project, Our own Trekking Company to fulfill the needs and support the poor and local Trekking Guides. I was in Nepal for 7 months this time, and my Visa was expiring. So, I had a friend that encouraged me to come to Vietnam.

Before I make this story too long, I will briefly explain the rest. I ended up as a Workaway bartending on a Tourist Visa and not paid. However, free room and board, food, beverages, etc. This was December 2019, the Covid Pandemic was just beginning with most of the World unaware of the devastating future.

In January 2020, I traveled 20 kilometers to Quy Nhon City to relocate and seek an opportunity to continue teaching, however it was very difficult to obtain a Business Visa, Work Permit, And Temporary Resident Card ( TRC ). An opportunity came and I began teaching again. Then, April of 2020 is when the Global COVID Pandemic really spread. I survived through all of the Pandemic by teaching online due to school closures, mandatory lockdowns, etc. In 2021, when the Delta COVID variant struck Kathmandu, Nepal from Delhi, India, my Trekking Company partner passed away due to the Delta COVID variant and broken heart again. At the same time, the company that I had invested in and wrote over 100 itineraries for fell under.

I was stuck in certain ways, but I didn’t give up. In January of 2022 through March I figured out a way to return to Nepal, only to find major inflation and doubled poverty from Pre-COVID. At that time as well, Vietnam shut their borders and I couldn’t return, at least I thought! March 15, 2022, Vietnam reopened their borders for applications and Tourist Visas, but I had to travel through Bangkok, Thailand, which required a Thai Pass and proof of double shot vaccination, a PCR Test, a 24 hour waiting period in Thailand and forced to pay $150.00 USD for a hotel lockdown awaiting the results from the test.

After my return to Vietnam, I continued teaching and everything was going good, blessed! From mid January to late April of 2023, I finally had the opportunity to return to the USA and Texas to visit my parents and relatives. It had been since 2018 ( 5 Years ) since I had seen my parents in Asheville, NC, USA at my graduation ceremony. I returned to Vietnam in late April of 2023 to continue teaching.

Today, ever since my return from the USA in April of 2023, I have been blessed with an extraordinary school, all required Permits and Visas, teaching 7 days per week! I have also been in contact by emails with National Geographic. I have also continued to do Humanitarian Involvements, and I’ve become a huge part and inspiring member of the wonderful community of Quy Nhon, Vietnam!

Conclusion:

I would like to thank everyone and I am absolutely grateful for the consideration and time to read my Short Bio for my cause. This is a short version, knowing the consideration and respect for dear friends and everyone to take the time to read it. My goal is to raise $700.00 USD for airfare from Nepal to New York City. I have visited my dear friend Damon Cohen nine years straight from Asheville, NC, USA to NYC, NY, USA as our tradition for Thanksgiving Week! I will be working online the whole trip consisting of IELTS International Speaking classes through my school here in Vietnam, along with teaching on Cambly online platform, and online Freelance Writing. My biggest dilemma is the affordability to fly and airfare funds from Nepal to New York City, NY, USA! “Only One New York Babeee”!!!

Thank You Sincerely,

To All Friends And Everyone,

–Teacher Michael Adam Harding