Here is the letter we sent asking for donations for Supon. We continue to receive donations, and they will all be sent to Supon for her time in America. Thank you very much!

Dear Everybody,

People frequently tell us that they're proud of us for joining the Peace Corps and "making a difference." Well, now we're giving you an opportunity to make a difference.

Supon is an English teacher in Sangkha who has been working with us for the past year. She recently passed the test to become an AFS exchange teacher (she was one of only 25 people in the whole country to do so). AFS is an organization that arranges for foreign exchange students. However, as some of you may or may not know, they also have an exchange program for teachers. Supon was ecstatic when she was selected to go to the United States, as she has heard many stories from us about what life in the U.S. is like. She will leave for the U.S. in August and stay 11 months. Not only will she be able to improve her English in order to help out her students here, but she'll be able to learn about the education system in the U.S. and share information about her culture with students there.

The problem, is that all AFS exchange teachers, regardless of their country of origin, must come up with $5,000. An American or European family can usually scrimp and save and come up with the money. However, because of exchange rates and the fact that the cost of living in a 3rd world country is radically cheaper than in the West, $5,000 is a small fortune here. Supon makes a standard teacher's salary of about $1,500 a year (or about $125 a month). That means that even if she never ate, paid rent, or drove her motorcycle, it would still take her over three years to save up the money. Supon figures that between family and friends chipping in, she can come up with $2,500. A teacher in another district in Surin offered Supon $250 because she heard about Supon's acceptance into the AFS program and realized that it was the chance of a lifetime.

So... we're asking you all if you would be willing to contribute some money to help Supon. Supon has been a very good friend and has helped us here in Sangkha countless times. Even if you can only spare $20, it would put her $20 closer to her goal. If you are willing to donate some money, please mail a check to Lisa and Denny Wells (P.O. Box 74514, Fairbanks, AK 99707), and we will withdraw the money here by using our ATM card. Also, if you send money, it would be great if you could email us with the amount of the check so that we know what to expect and we can give Supon an estimate of how much money has been raised for her. We will post a running total of how much money has been raised on our website: www.geocities.com/dennyandlisa Thank you all for your support.

Denny & Lisa