Send Columbia Middle to Panama!

Columbia Middle School is a 99% black Title I public school in Decatur, GA. It is my mission to give these students the opportunity to travel out of the country, expand their horizons, and sow the seeds for them to develop a worldview that increases the chance of them being successful later in life. Most of my students come from families that do not have the funds to take this trip, but deserve the opportunity like anyone else. While we are working to raise funds at the school, I would love to surprise these babies by splitting up this amount among them to help pay for their trip. The cost of sending one student on the 8-day trip to Panama is $2,625.00. This covers airfare, hotel, excursions, transport, and tour guide. Right now, I have three students committed and want to take 40. Your donation can make this a possibility. This is a life changing opportunity for these kids, and I feel as though they will truly be changed for the better. 
Our goal is to raise this money by March. I am the art teacher at this middle school and have the privilege of seeing these students express themselves each day in ways they don't get to elsewhere. I am privy to many of their trials and internal struggles, but also many of their dreams and aspirations. So many of them express the desire to see the world but see the opportunity as something abstract and unattainable. Please help me to change this. They and I will be eternally grateful, and will be happy to send some of the wonderful things they are inspired to create as a token of our appreciation.