I have recently been accepted to a competitive internship program with the Foundation for Sustainable Development. Founded in 1995, the Foundation supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and economic opportunities around them through dedicated volunteer efforts. Winner of the 2009 Green Choice Award given by Great Non-Profits an organization that vets, rates, and reviews non-profit organizations world wide FSD is the leader in sustainable international development training.
This October, I will be traveling to Masaka, Uganda to begin an intensive training internship where I will learn sustainability skills through field placement. Some of the potential assignments I will have on the ground will be:to help micro-entrepreneurs increase sales and profitability; researching and implementing sustainable farming solutions and alternative income-generating activities; or establishing peer education networks to distribute information and resources. I am very excited about this opportunity to both learn and serve before I continue my academic growth pursuing a Master of Arts in the Economics of International Development. My previous award-winning undergraduate studies at Belmont University in Business Administration and International Economics and my current local work of volunteering and social enterprise development has guided me to seek a placement in sub-Saharan Africa, where billions of dollars in foreign aid winds up wasted due to the lack of a sustainable economic infrastructure.
As part of this exciting service learning experience, I have pledged to raise $10,000.00 for the Foundation. Your generous contribution provides FSD with a committed, enthusiastic, trained and hard-working volunteer: me! To give you an idea of how your donation will be used:
$274.25 will get me 1,000 miles closer to Uganda. So, 9 donations of $236.45 will cover the cost of my airfare!
$437.84 will cover the cost of the Specialty Risk International health insurance
$500.00 will provide the initial seed grant to my host organization
$1450.00 will cover the cost of the FSD homestay, which includes room and board
$2200.00 will cover the cost of my trainings
If you join me in this endeavor, I will send you a weekly newsletter and you will be invited to a special presentation when I return. Additionally, all donations are 100% tax deductible. I understand that during this tough economic time that some of your charitable contributions for the year may already be earmarked, but understand that every little bit -even $50- helps tremendously!
I welcome your support and encouragement. If you have any questions about my program, about the Foundation for Sustainable Development, or about Uganda, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at Tyler.In.Uganda@gmail.com or (615) 983-0267. Thank you in advance for helping to make this extraordinary experience possible. I look forward to sharing it with you when I return.
Thank you and best regards,
Tyler Severan Johnson
