Tomi’s India Volunteer Experience
Fundraising campaign by
Tomi Selway
-
US$515.00raised of $2,500.00 goal goal
No more donations are being accepted at this time. Please contact the campaign owner if you would like to discuss further funding opportunities
Campaign Story
Hi, most of you know me but just in case, my name is Tomi Selway and I am pursuing a career in emergency services so that I can help others.
This semester, I have decided to take a trip to India to volunteer in their local hospitals and slums. I've committed to at least 3 weeks (beginning Sept. 16) near Delhi, India, staying with a host family there. I'm excited to experience the new culture and help people who otherwise might not be helped.
I am paying for this work with money I originally saved for college, but the expenses are building much higher than anticipated. That’s where the support of my friends and family comes into play! Please consider donating any amount to this effort to help me reach my goal of raising $2,500 by the end of October to help cover the costs* of this volunteer adventure such as program fees, airfare, passport and visa expenses, supplies for basic travel needs, meals and accommodations – I would like to put as little burden on my host family as possible.
If you have any questions, please email my mom, Aishie Selway at [email protected] (since I will be in India).
Thank you so much for your donations, support, and for sharing this with other people you feel might be willing to help me reach my goal!
I will be uploading pictures during my voyage so if you want to see them keep checking back.
For more information regarding the group I’m traveling with, please see below:
PMGY (Plan My Gap Year) has been a wonderful organization to work with so far. They are very attentive and have helped with the many challenges we have run into while planning and preparing for this volunteer trip. Here are some webpages that you might like for more information:
Info on Medical Volunteer Work – India:
http://www.planmygapyear.co.uk/india/india-medical-volunteers/#1451743069171-a87c5eab-9dd4
Photos of others volunteering with the medical program:
http://www.planmygapyear.co.uk/india/india-medical-volunteers/#1449584628091-ed0ed4c2-b893
*If you need detailed cost info. we can provide it to you for reassurance that all of the money you donate is going directly to this volunteer experience. Please just email my mom for that information.
Organizer
- Tomi Selway
- Campaign Owner
Donors
- James Martinez
- Donated on Sep 30, 2016
- Lynn Fitzsimmons
- Donated on Sep 28, 2016
An amazing young man blossomed from a boy. Love you kiddo
FB posts from 9/30 - Outreach to Australia! ...and paragliding!
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 10:59 pmTomi: Looking forward to paragliding! What an experience!Mike's post:View from our hotel room in Dharamsala. The bus ride was 14 hours. Really poor internet. Will try to keep you updated.There is a doctor in Australia who offered to donate money and an email list if we could put together a
FB post from 9/29 - on the way to Dharamsala
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 10:55 pmTomi's post:About to set off on an overnight bus ride to Dharamsala with Michael Evelyn, Frida and Emily!! It's a beautiful city on the edge of the Himalayas. Although I'm having a wonderful time volunteering, I am ready to be away from all the chaos that is India... If you. . . . .
FB Updates from 9/28
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 10:52 pmTomi's post:Halfway thru the volunteer trip!! I miss being in my beautiful state but it's been such a great experience so far. I've learned so much about the world and about who I want to be as a person. Thank you so much Aishie and Elizabeth for showing me the. . . . .
Volunteer Update - Perspective
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 10:38 pmTomi posts:We are doing all we can for these kids and the people that visit the clinic. Although the slums aren't the best place to be brought up, they know how to have a good time and it makes the world seem a little brighter knowing that we can make. . . . .
Chat with Tomi 9/26 AM (he is 11.5 hrs ahead of Colorado)
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 06:30 pmI spoke with Tomi briefly this morning. He and my dad are back at the orphanage and volunteering in the medical clinics and schools, respectively. Tomi is keeping his spirits up and has a great attitude about working in the clinics! He said it seems like Mike (aka, my Dad). . . . .
Michael's FB post 9/22/16 - Tough week
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 05:19 pmThis has been a tuff week. It's been hard for me to find my groove, but I have finally found it. I discovered that some of the older students and teachers want to learn Office applications so I teach the older students Office in the orphanage in the morning, then. . . . .
Tomi's FB update 9/24/16 - hot shower and attacked by a monkey
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 05:15 pmFirst hot shower in over a week. Almost better than visiting the Taj Mahal!! (It actually didn't even compare to the Taj hehe it was just glorious.)I was attacked by a monkey today.... I have to say it was definitely one of the scariest expieriences of my life. I was. . . . .
Tomi's FB update 9/23/16 - doing touristy stuff before 2 more weeks of volunteering
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 05:12 pmHad an absolutely amazing time in Jaipur today with Michael Fitzsimmons and Amish. We painted elephants, went to the Amber Palace and got a blessing in the temple along with a private tour, then went to a textile manufacturing facility, and finally out to eat at an authentic Indian restaurant.
Tomi's FB update 9/21 - First day of work
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 05:05 pmHaving a great time in this program so far! Most people are very nice and I am learning new things all the time. Yesterday I watched doctors perform a c-section to give birth to a baby, one of the craziest things I've ever seen! I also visited the lotus temple
Michael's FB updates 9/19/16 & 9/20/16 - Their first days in India
Update posted by Tomi Selway at 05:01 pm9/19: Took the metro into New Delhi with Tomi Selway and fellow volunteers. The other volunteers are so young and adventurous. I am impressed.9/20: First day work. They take us to the slums where there is a free clinic and school and the women make stuff. I started working at
Donors & Comments
- Michelle Herdt
- Donated on Oct 04, 2016
Worthy cause and awesome young man who went out of his comfort zone to help the less fortunate & he took his grandfather along too! This trip will change both their lives for the better.
- James Martinez
- Donated on Sep 30, 2016
- Lynn Fitzsimmons
- Donated on Sep 28, 2016
An amazing young man blossomed from a boy. Love you kiddo
- Bob Hannaford
- Donated on Sep 26, 2016
Keep up the good work
- Ramona and Billy Britt
- Donated on Sep 25, 2016
Way to go Tomi!!!
- Fred Sickly
- Donated on Sep 18, 2016
Have a great time abroad! Do some good work. Don't let anything get you down or get in your way.
- Barb Fitzsimmons
- Donated on Sep 16, 2016
Tomi, I'm happy that you're doing this. I know it will open the doors to great things. I hope that you get to experience it all! Love you, Grams
Worthy cause and awesome young man who went out of his comfort zone to help the less fortunate & he took his grandfather along too! This trip will change both their lives for the better.