Be Immortalized For Only $10

The first phase of starting a school in the Philippines is done. I met with the Department of Education and we discussed the neccessary requirements for licensing. I spoke with the building architect and engineer and we finalized the blueprint. I hired a project manager to oversee the building construction and the school licensing process. These were the easy part. Now, the most difficult part commences.

Phase two of the project is securing the funding. Yes, when it comes down to it, it’s all about the money. You may have all the ideas, talent, and passion but if you don’t have the almighty dollar, you’re Dead On Arrival. Luckily I have some ideas on how to finance this project.

The first one is to secure a loan from a lending institution. If you ever tried getting a bank loan for anything, you know that it is easier said done. The second one is to use the building as a collateral for a loan (this might be the easiest route as a funding source but I’m weary of mortgaging the building). Third idea is to use my family as a funding source, like my sisters, parents, and in-laws. This will take some begging but it might work, after all when the school takes off, the family name will be at the forefront.

My fourth idea is actually an exciting and fun way of raising money. I will engrave anybody’s name or company name on the front wall of the school for a $10 donation. I figure if all of my regular readers (commentors and lurkers alike) and the occassional readers donate the $10 amount, I will be able to raise about 10% of the money I need to renovate the building and to purchase materials such as computers, desks, and so on and so forth.

Factoring in construction, supplies, staff salary, and miscellaneous expenses, I will need approximately $100 thousand for the first year. This is quite a sum but I know it’s attainable. All I have to do is employ all the ideas that I listed.

Of course the best part of all of the fundraising phase is the part where you, my loyal, awesome, wonderful readers (I’m not trying to brown nose here, I truly mean it) get to play a part. Just imagine. You will be immortalized! And obviously, if you visit the school, you will be treated like royalty. Isn’t this cool? Ten dollars will give you fame and notoriety. I bet if you walk around your house and look for loose change under your sofa cussion or your bed, you will find $10 worth of change.

So take the plunge and donate. I’m happy to say that David from Life of (f)utility: Hacking the Human Race has already donated $20 to my project. Will you be the next one?

Please send your $10 through Paypal using the following e-mail accounts: cj090904@yahoo.com or chris@watdawat.com ( my donate button on the My Project page is having issues right now this is why I gave my two e-mail addresses).

I’m not good at asking people for money but I’m appealing to you because I know that this is worth doing. I know that this endeavor will require everybody’s help. If you feel like you can only comfortably give less than the $10 amount, then by all means do so. Any amount you send will help.

If you have any questions and suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment or you can e-mail me.

Thank you for your support.

  1. Robin Said,

    Hi Chris - this sounds like a great project - I’m sure you will find a way to make it happen. All the best with it!

    Robins last blog post..Is Living Like Today Might Be Your Last A Good Idea?

  1. Marelisa Said,

    I want the brick with my name on it to be at eye level :-)
    Marelisas last blog post..Morning Ritual: A Buffet

  1. RC Said,

    Chris -

    The Hubby and I actually make an annual budget regarding our donations (who, how much and for what reasons). Could you send me more of the specifics?

    Thank you,

    RC

    RCs last blog post..Our Little Alarm Clock

  1. Kyddryn Said,

    This is awesome, and more than worthwhile; as soon as I can squeeze it out of my budget, you’ve got it!

    Shade and Sweetwater,
    K (who would send her child to a traditional school if every teacher and administrator showed you care and dedication to the kids in their care)

    Kyddryns last blog post..I think I Figured It Out

  1. Manuel Said,

    I want mine to have a start next to it, Tito Chris!!!
    Paypal button is fixed now. :-)

  1. purpledsky Said,

    I.have.got.to.start.earning.from.my.blog.

    So that I’d have something to contribute to this noble cause.

    Best of luck, Chris!

    purpledskys last blog post..A letter for Xofia

  1. Vered Said,

    Done. :)
    Vereds last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Vintage Computers

  1. Hi Chris,

    I love what you’re doing. Check your PayPal. :)
    Irene | Light Beckonss last blog post..Ask Why

  1. @Everyone— WOW! You guys are awesome! Thank you for the donations…I didn’t know I would get this much response and donation so quickly. :) Please keep it comming.

  1. @Everyone– Thanks to Manny, who is also my tech God, my Paypa Donate button is fixed. If you click on the “Paypal Donate” button, it will re-direct you “My Project Page” where a longer explanation is written and another button is present which will finally take you to “Paypal”…

  1. kbreints Said,

    My contribution made– I hope that it helps with your noble cause!

    kbreintss last blog post..Never admit defeat

  1. Toni Said,

    What a great idea. I can’t donate right now but hopefully in a couple of weeks things will be better and I can. Good luck with this. I know you can do it!

    Tonis last blog post..Thursday Thirteen - 24th edition

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  1. Happy to!

    Urban Panther & Urbane Lion

  1. Done. Sent to your email address, Chris. Have you told us before what type of kids you’re looking to serve with the school? I have a crappy memory. Will it serve poorer children or have scholarships or something? And do you have some pictures of the building to show us?

    The Immortal Kelly Rigby

    Kelly@SHE-POWERs last blog post..Does Evil Lurk Inside Us All?

  1. @Everyone–Thanks again for your donation…

    @Kelly—I have a video of the current building that I will post as soon as I sort out the video embedding problem that I have with Wordpress. I’m getting this fixed today.

    As for the type of students that the school will serve, for our first year I plan on having 60% of the students tution based, 20% academic/sponsored scholarship, and 20% need based scholarship . By the second year, my plan is move the scholarship and sponsorship to 50%. I would love to give 50% scholarship in the first year of the school but it’s not financially viable.

    It will take me about two or three years to convince the local govt. to fund the school, because in the Philippines they like to see the place in action before they fund any such programs.

    The goal is to eventually have the school 50% tuition based and 50% scholarship need and academic based.

    I’m doing this because my goal is to be able to integrate the have and have nots in my school because right now, the schools in the pretty much segregated. The haves go to private school and the have nots are stuck in the public schools. I figure if I provide a high quality and with high standards school, the haves will come naturally because the school will be the best game in town. And at the same time the have nots will also benefit from the state of the art facilities.

    The tuition that I’m going to charge will be enough to cover the teacher salaries and the other operating expenses will be covered by the good graces of my family, my friends (in person and virtual), and some grants that I’m working on right now.

    I’m also planning on giving the highest teacher salary in the city so obviously the budget will be really tight. The good thing is that I don’t have to pay rent for the building since my in-laws are allowing us to use it until we build our own new school, which will hopefully happen in the next three years.

    It’s safe to say that I have big plans but with no money, but I know it will happen. This dream is 15 years in the making.

  1. [...] now through e-mail or via RSS. If you want to be a part of this venture, read the following entry Be Immortalized For Only $10  and My [...]

  1. MizFit Said,

    IM in as well and let me know if youd want me to link on a friday?

    MizFits last blog post..Link Love.

  1. Vicky P Said,

    i want to help tito chris, but i don’t have paypal.
    boo…
    what should i do?

  1. @MizFit– I would appreciate a link on Friday

    @Vicky—You know where I live, just drive it over. :)

  1. All sounds good. I’m very excited about this Chris. Nothing has the power to change a child’s lie like education, particularly a girl’s life.

    You’re a noble man and I’m honoured to call you my friend.

    Kelly

    Kelly@SHE-POWERs last blog post..My Name is Kelly and I am a Compulsive Blog Reader

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