Campaign Information
My name is Verna and I'm a former teacher turned photographer living in Austin, Texas.
A few years ago, after returning from London and Paris with hundreds of photos, I shared my travel experience with my students. After answering several of their questions about my travels, I remembered that a lot of the students I taught did not come from families that could afford travel beyond the US.
In an effort to change that, I came up with the idea of World Class: A Photo Expedition Abroad.
What is World Class?
World Class: A Photo Expedition Abroad is a way for students that wouldn't otherwise have the means to travel overseas, to learn about the world they live in. In addition to reading and learning about foreign lands in books and in the classroom, students will have the chance to actually be there. Each day they will act as photo journalists being immersed in the culture and sharing their experiences through photography and words.
Why is traveling abroad so important?
Our planet is a constant spinning sphere of change. Our youth are essential to global and cultural change, but unfortunately funding for international travel is not easily accessible to students from low income families. When ALL students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to international educational trips, it improves quality of life. They learn about lands beyond their country and begin to understand how to configure a cooperative economic and social global network.
Why Indiegogo?
Great ideas often start with one person, but it takes the support of family, friends, our communities and people like YOU to make it a reality!
Indiegogo is the perfect platform to create a national and global community of people working together to change lives and everyone can get involved.
My hope is this project is just one of others like it that will be created in communities across the world.
How will Indiegogo funds be used?About $38k of the funds will be used for students' travel expenses. I have been working with
EFTours.com and their sister company,
GoAheadTours.com to create a trip that is both highly educational and economical. Expenses include flights, ground transportation, meals and educational tours and activities.
Additionally, about $2k of the funds will be used to cover pre-travel related fees, including passport fees. The remaining funds will be used to create and ship perks/rewards, as well as pay fees associated with Indiegogo.
What if the goal is exceeded? If the goal is exceeded, the extra funds will be used to get an extra laptop or two to take and use for uploading photos and blogging. For every extra $5000, we can offer the trip to another student.
What are the AWESOME rewards? This is an educational photo journalism project, so students will be taking photos of everything they see and experience. These photos will be featured in the rewards, for example:
Photo Postcards
Example of 4" x 6" photo postcards.
Exclusive World Class Photo Expedition T-Shirt (designed by Bob Boucher)
Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints
Example of a 16" x 24" Gallery Wrapped Canvas Print
Signed posters, a limited edition book and more!
(Note: The photos on the postcards and canvas above are just EXAMPLES and ARE NOT actual photos you will receive.)
Are there other ways I can support this campaign?
Absolutely! Please help spread the word through Facebook, Twitter, your blog, website, and with family and friends!
Another way to help is through donating camera equipment, such as quality digital camera bodies, lenses and memory cards. Additionally, we'd love to provide extra laptops for students to upload their photos and blog while they are on their trip. To donate these items, please contact me at starlingphotography@gmail.com.
Have more questions?
Send me an email! I'd love to hear from you!
Special Thanks and Acknowledgement
Special thanks to Angel, Robert, Ayan, Daniella, Tar'rell and Adam for being a part of the making of this video.
Thank you for being a contributor!