Send Robbie Yasi to the 2017 APLP

Hi everyone!

My name is William Robert "Robbie" Yasi. I'm a Senior High School instructor of the University of San Carlos (Cebu City, Philippines). I am also taking up my Masters in Environmental Science in that same school.

Some of you might know me from my many various involvements: I'm an environmentalist, a youth empowerment advocate, a theater geek, a debater, a fiction writer, a singer, and a graphic designer (among other things). But aside from those, I am first and foremost a follower of Christ. I am heavily involved with Young Life Philippines as a long-time volunteer and with the Christ Commission Fellowship as part of their music and singles ministry here in Cebu.

This year, I got the amazing opportunity of being selected as one of the 30-35 fellows for the 2017 Asia Pacific Leadership Program of the East West Center in Honolulu, HI. This year-long program will bring me to the United States to participate in a four-month on-campus intensive training on various fields of leadership. During the program's first term, I will have the opportunity to live and work in a diverse international community with scholars, policy-makers, diplomats, journalists, and many other professionals from different walks of life. Along with that, I will also be joining an international network of pioneers committed to a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific region.

However, there are certain necessary costs that are not covered by the fellowship:

• Roundtrip airfare to/from Honolulu, Hawai‘i (cost varies)
• APLP program fee at USD $7,000
• Personal living expenses estimated at USD $3,450 (115 days at USD $30 per day)
• Personal expenses for the U.S. field study estimated at USD $600
• Single-occupancy accommodation in the East-West Center residence halls at USD $1,575 (105 nights at USD $15 per night)

This would total to at least USD $12,625.00 (exclusing airfare)! And in order for me to be able to fully participate in the program, I need to show that I am financially capable of shouldering this amount. And in all honestly, I'm not.

Which is why I really need your help in this. The deadline for the acceptance of program is on April 7. And this includes proof that I have the said amount available in my account. So I only have a few weeks to raise the money. It's tough, and I am quite scared, but rest assured, any amount would be a HUGE help for me. In fact, praying for me would be more than enough. :)

Being chosen to be part of this program has already been such a great honor for me. And I most definitely would not want to waste this opportunity. Being able to participate in this would mean allowing me to find more ways to improve my advocacies and my involvements.

But at the end of the day, the Lord has made plans for me, and I know it is His will that will prevail. Whatever the results would be for this fund raising journey, do know that it is all for His greater glory.

Thank you so much for taking your time to read this.

God bless and have a great day ahead of you!