EFTA01221840.pdf

Application Rwanda Project USVI 2009 Applicant name: LAN DON 7- auIJN Address: Home phone. Cell phone: Email address: Date of birth: Name of parents or guardians: Parcitt/guardian phone home phone: Cell phone: Email address: School: Grade: Major area of scholastic interest: a rf plf5o Ott ev-se, irobbiew. 5. ca.. ‘,.. Club or school organization membership: /1,, a 141 Orla / /AMo& Soet, cz/ e=ri a -1 mytke, Community service work: VrilAnsiVtpf, ' 07 4 og efratfIn (!atop Pr 5 3e 45 It.44-e(Cta fitatk5 Application Attachments EFTA01221840 Landon Bunn I look around and see that the world is full of endless opportunities to help others less fortunate than myself, opportunities to give back. The opportunity to travel to Rwanda as part of a humanitarian team and help families and individuals devastated by AIDS, genocide, and disease is something that does not come around often. As well as learning about the culture and life of the people living in Rwanda. I would look forward to participating in service projects that wi►l improve the lives of many people in that particular area. This trip would also give me a better perception and understanding of a completely different way of life and how other people live in this world. I would hope to develop relationships with the fellow students on the trip and with the people of Rwanda. I will be able to cherish these friendships made for the rest of my life. Being exposed to such a different culture than that of my own. and getting to know the children of where we will be working will be my main goal. We all watch the news and sec how devastating and awful these children's lives are and we feel absolutely terrible. l want to actually take the initiative and be an activist for the people of Rwanda so that I can actually help make someone's journey through life be less painful than it really has to he. It is my sincere hope to better the world by putting a smile on the fact of a child whose life has been torn apart or to bring hope to someone that has lost everything. This trip to Rwanda will also give me a chance to get to know a number of teenagers from the Virgin Islands who I would have otherwise not been able to meet. As we interact, we will be able to share our life-changing experiences with each other which will ultimately create a shared bond that will last a lifetime. Going on this trip to participate in meaningful service projects and to work hands- on with the extremely less fortunate people of Rwanda would be one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences of my life. As well as having a positive impact on many disadvantaged individuals, the once in a lifetime opportunity would be an invaluable experience that t would benefit tremendously from and it would help me understand how other people of the world live and survive. EFTA01221841  The St. Thomas Reformed Church Ntituster P.O. Box 301769 .lrtfrrv1.4 Gary. .0, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin islands 00803-1769 h„a Atthomasreformeachurch nig December 10, 2008 When Landon Bunn asked me to write on his behalf for the Rwanda Project I was really glad and hopeful for him. I know three young people who were a part of the Rwanda Project last year who came home so invigorated by what they had learned and experienced. Landon is cut from the same kind of cloth as these other teens. When I met Landon three years ago I was deeply impressed. He then was a poised young man ... confident in his own skin. It was obvious that his parents were instilling in him respect fur himself, his family, for adults, and his community. lie could comfortably communicate with adults and just as comfortably be with his peers. Ile was mature beyond his years. Landon is a known commodity around our church. Ile joins in worship as a musician playing both guitar and congas. Ile is always helpful, often asking "what can i dor Whenever I am in need of someone to help with a project I know that I can call Landon and get an enthusiastic response and quality cooperation. Perhaps where Landon's gifts most relate to the Rwanda Project is in that he has been a part of our church's youth mission projects for three years. These projects have taken us to communities that have been ravaged by natural disasters, and to places of dire and extreme poverty. Landon is one of the young people who leads by the force of his example. Yes, he works hard, but what is more notable is his genuine interest in the lives, the culture, the relationships, ... of what is going on in the communities that we visit. In the Dominican Republic, where I andon has worked twice, he clearly revels in the unique and mysterious ways of a foreign culture. In school Landon has pursued perhaps the most challenging foreign language that is offered Mandarin. I have to say, (and it pains me to do so because I lived in China for almost two years and he speaks and reads far more than I). that his Mandarin abilities are astonishing. And this is because he has completely invested himself in learning. Again, it is his innate cunosity about the lives and cultures of others that has inspired him to meet the challenge of his teacher. I am very privileged to know, and to have traveled with many young people. You will find few more open and committed to the experience. Landon will never tire of the travel, whine about the food, crawl into a protective shell, or be obsessed with his i-pod, because all of his being will be focused on absorbing what he can of the unique opportunity. You will be able to count on Landon nut only during the adventure, but in all that is required pre-departure. Ile will want to be as much a part of the team as he can possibly be. Landon Bunn will make a wonderful addition to your team and I enthusiastically recommend him for your very serious consideration. Sincerely yours, EFTA01221842  ANTILLES SCHOOL Excellence Diversity Community December 12, 2008 Dear Colleague. I was delighted recently to learn that Landon Bunn has a possible opportunity to go to Rwanda along with a humanitarian delegation from the Virgin Islands. I have known Landon for two years as a student at Antilles school where I teach World History and English. Landon is an accomplished student who expresses himself clearly and has a significant degree of knowledge and interest in the world. But perhaps more important than Landon's as a student. are his qualities as a human being. He is compassionate. giving, and interested in other cultures. This would not be the first effort of its kind for Landon; twice in recent years he has gone with his church group to do mission work in the Dominican Republic where he helped build houses, dig latrines. test his Spanish skills and. generally speaking, get to know folks from another culture. At a time when youngsters are apt to he self-involved and uncaring of others. Landon is a welcome exception. I am confident that Landon will serve not only as an ambassador from the Virgin Islands. but an emissary from Rwanda as well. one who will return and share his experiences and serve as an example to others. I sincerely hope he is able to join the rest of the group on this trip; they will not be disappointed. Do not hesitate to contact nee if I can be of further assistance in reconunending this outstanding you man. Sincerely. 6 -774--tt Willie Wilson — teacher. Antilles School wwilson@antilles .vi P.O. Box 1116 St. Thomas. VI 00804 (340) 776 4854 Frenchman's Bay 16.1 Si Thoross VII n Islands 00802 usssw.amilles.st EFTA01221843  Parent/Guardian Consent Form I ote (2) rkf parent/guardian do hereby give my consent (please print or type) for )1,,/11\1 c7 JN 1- t3 1-4 to apply (name of applicant) to participate in Rwanda Project 2009. I understand that by consenting. I agree that should the applicant named above be chosen, he/she will travel to Rwanda in July/August 2009 for about 15 days. with a group of 16 young people accompanied by four adult chaperones. * * This is not the final consent form, but is required to determine that the applicant has permission to pursue involvement in this project and that you understand the nature of the project. EFTA01221844  Financial information All participants will be required to travel with $1200 for food and incidentals. This does not include $600 for gorilla permits. In addition to the $1800 (assuming you want to see the gorillas), how much money would you anticipate being able to contribute to the other expenses (air fare, accommodations, transportation)? S ✓ This will not be a factor in determining who will be chosen for the project. However, the $1200 for food and incidentals is required and cannot be obtained through donations from community donors or benevolent organizations such as Rotary or lions or community foundations .• • Rwanda Project USVI is dependent upon community donors and organizations for expenses and project costs. We ask students to raise money through jobs. their own fund raising events. church groups or parental/family support only. --ike * soJ coil ae, " a ,, e fij )r 0 t " hat ale, con ex-1 Is ilaecifirl. pr 4 4 What EFTA01221845