At the end of my trip through Asia in 2007, I met a Novice Monk named Thine (pronounced Tin) in Luangprabang, Laos. We spent an afternoon together and he invited me back to the Wat for the evening chanting. After the chanting, we took a walk up to the temple on the hill overlooking the city. As we were coming down the hundreds of steps I told him I would sponsor him to go to University. Something about his drive and motivation to learn English to begin a new life after high school really struck me. It inspired me enough to decide to try to help.

Thine needed money when he graduated from being a Novice for clothes and shoes, a Gov't ID and a bus ticket to Vientiane, the capital of Laos where he would attend University. I sent $200 in April for the necessary items.

It is now May 2008, and the year's tuition needs to be paid. The University is three terms at $200/term. This weekend I received email that he is in Vientiane but needs living expenses of $200/month. Thine wants to become an English teacher -- He wants to go back to his village in Northern Laos to teach the children there. He is from a small village and is one of 5 sons. His parents paid $15/year to send him to high school at the Wat, he is the only son to attend high school.

I can't afford to put an American kid through college, but can make a huge difference in a country like Laos by helping a motivated and enthusiastic youth become someone who helps others.