Help Brooklyn Students Study in South Africa

In 2018, Ember Charter School in the heart of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, took over 100 students and staff to South Africa for an unforgettable 6-week study abroad experience. The intention was to repeat this trip every two years to continue to expose our students to the benefits of studying abroad. However, the pandemic interrupted global travel, and now financial constraints threaten to halt the program altogether. We just CAN'T allow this!

Many people are unaware that the global study abroad experience is a story of massive inequity with the average student afforded this opportunity being white, female, and upper-middle-class.* This leaves out our entire school and community.

This 6-week study abroad experience will forever change the lives of our students. Research suggests that studying abroad cultivates intercultural competency and international awareness. We at Ember believe that every student- regardless of their home neighborhood or socio-economic status - deserves this opportunity to understand their place as contributors to the global community.

It will cost Ember over $600,000 to cover costs associated with ordering passports for students, securing immunizations, booking air and ground travel, and covering lodging, food, and event/experience costs during travel. We hope to raise as much of these costs through this current campaign and then secure the rest through corporate matches and other fundraisers.

$50 Donation: one-week local transportation costs for one student

$100 Donation: one-week meal costs for one student

$500 Donation: passport, visa and immunizations costs for one student

$1500: roundtrip airfare for one student