Please Help

[Ozymandias]

Hey guys,

I know I don't post much these days, but I still check in what y'all are up to quite often. Last time I asked for help on here, the response was great, so I figured you might be willing/able to again.

I have just finished my final year of school, and before heading off to university, I've decided to take a year out and do something with it. Something big. Something special.

English was my strongest subject at school, and I like to do my bit for those less fortunate (living in the UK I realise I'm extremely privileged). I watched a programme on China a couple of weeks ago, and behind the flashy veneer that the Chinese government is putting up for the Olympics, there's a whole impoverished underclass that see nothing of the government wealth.

But this can change. On the programme, there was an American guy who ran free English classes for the local people in the slums. His reasoning was simple - when the Olympics come to town, if these people can speak English, they'll be in demand, and that means the possibility of a meaningful job.

I hope to do the same; to go out there and teach English in China for a year. I've been making some inquiries and some new friends, and already it's looking like a reality. Expenses, through people out there whom I've come to know, and who support what I'm doing, have been sliced right down, and come what may I won't charge poor people for an education they deserve anyway.

However, I'm not that well off myself. I'm hoping to head out at the beginning of July to meet the people I'll be staying with, but the plane ticket is £300 return (including taxes). This is by far the cheapest I have found it yet.

The thread is called "Please Help", and I really do need it. I don't expect you all to scrabble for your wallets, but anything you can give -- even support for what I'm doing (this is the longest time I'll have spent from home, and a long way from England) -- is welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you all again,

Ozy

[Sage]

I am really glad that you are going out to do something to help people in need. I heard that English is the hardest language to learn, and China is the most spoken language int he world.

Unfortunately I am unable to support you in your plans, as not only do I have 2 dollars to my name, but those two dollars are my lunch money.

Good luck on your future endeavors.

[Tom Flapwell]

So wait, where do we send the money?

[Ozymandias]

Whatever's good for you is good for me... I have Paypal if that's easiest?

[Tom Flapwell]

That probably is easiest.

[Burning Sheep Productions]

Too bad you've finished school, though you may have some success at uni.
There's a guy in his final year here who's perpetually selling those fund-raiser chocolates and lollies you can get from Cadbury in the hopes to make $4000 to go to South Africa to promote the sport of Australian Rules Football over there as part of a personal development course he's taking.

So I rekkon give that a go if it's possible at your uni, this guy's turned himself into a fund-raising vendor here and sells a box each day doing it.