Help Keep My Students off the Streets

My students LOVE hiking. This is the best way I know to keep them off the streets and give them hope to push forward against the very difficult odds stacked against them. Because they are severely at-risk due to poverty, violence, and other factors in the community, I've been taking them every weekend. But now I need your help.

Most of my students are recent immigrants from the islands of Micronesia: Pohnpei, Chuuk, Mejit, Kosrae and Saipan. Currently, only 8% of Micronesian immigrants graduate from high school. I aim to improve this for my students. The problem is due to the massive culture shock: Imagine moving from a tiny, undeveloped tropical island to a city of 1.5 million people who speak a language you don't understand and use technology you have never seen before! On top of the shock of the culture, these immigrant children lose much of their access to their parents who often must work 3 jobs to make ends meet here in Honolulu.

My friend Jaime and I take our daughters hiking all the time! So, we know the best hiking trails on the island. Last year, it occurred to us to bring my students with us! We're still doing so, and it’s working! But the financial strain is taking a toll.

We have the time and the know-how, but we have been spending about $200 a month. We are unable to maintain this, and it breaks my heart. Could you please help me keep helping my students by making a donation to cover their excursion costs? (transportation, food, water, entry fees, gear) I'm hoping to raise enough to cover their expenses for 1 school year.

Whatever you can donate would be deeply appreciated. I really need to keep doing this for my students. They are precious to me!