What is your dream? What is the one thing that you have been wishing you could do, for as long as you could remember? For me, it’s to visit another country, not only to experience the culture and language, but more importantly help those who live there.

With luck, my dream will take me to China. For so long now, I have been enthralled in the vast, inclusive culture of the region and have been doing as much as I can to learn about it. I have spent my free time learning some of the language, and have wholeheartedly tried to find out as much as I can about the history of country. I can only do so much from the comfort of my home, and this is why I have taken this time to write – I need your help.

A few short weeks ago, I discovered a way to make my dream come true. Through an organization called GLA, I will be able to fulfil my dream and finally visit China. During my time there, I will commit over 80 hours of community service, participating in the communities I visit by doing things such as restoring cultural sites such as temples and teaching english to the students who live there. I will also be participating in many local programs such as campaigns to develop sustainable agriculture. Along with this, I will have multiple opportunities to learn the language in authentic setting. Lastly, I will also get to see national landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Stone Forest, and the Forbidden City. However, all of this does not come without its costs.

By Dec. 31, I need to raise $7,000. These funds will go toward tuition to the program, as well as flight costs of my trip. Through a partnership with Delivering Hope, a local nonprofit organization, I have set up an account to which you can easily donate, enabling you to share a small piece of my dream. You can send in funds, either by a check to Delivering Hope, or electronically through the link below. Since Delivering Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donations are tax deductible.

Lastly, I wanted to end my message to you by thanking you. By donating, you are enabling me to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity… you are enabling me to participate in my dream, and I don’t think that I can sincerely express on paper what that means to me. With that being said, I don’t think it would be fair for you to lose out on what I am doing. I plan on starting a blog to keep everyone up to date on what is going on, including donation goals and what I am doing before, during, and even after my trip.

Oscar Clement is a sophomore at East Greenwich High School. You can donate through Delivering Hope at http://deliveringhopenow.org/?page_id=255.)