Please consider joining or supporting the Cherokee Gives Back Exchange Program. We are dedicated to the continued growth of the program so that we can provide more students a positive and life changing experience. As this program grows, it will have a profound effect on the host families and schools and communities participating in it.

Program Expense

Ultimately, the host families, schools and third-party donors are responsible for all costs associated with hosting the Ethiopian student for the entire school year. The school may provide support through its normal scholarship program or find private donors to support this endeavor. Neither the students nor their families in Ethiopia contribute financially to this opportunity.

Gives Back funds all costs associated with interviewing and selecting students in Ethiopia and managing the U.S.-based school and family identification process. Gives Back does not provide financial assistance to support student activities in the United States. 
The estimated program fee for the 2009–2010 school year is $6,500. This fee covers:

• All flights;
• Health insurance;
• Visa; and
• J-1 Sponsor.

The program fee is paid by the host family, host school and/or community group (church mission, service clubs, friends of the host family, etc…). This total does NOT include educational fees (tuition), monthly living expenses (varies from household to household) and medical deductibles associated with doctor or hospital visits. These fees are also paid by host family, host school and/or community group.
Cherokee Gives Back covers fees associated with the work done in Ethiopia:

• Identifying qualified candidates
• Embassy interview requirements
• Medical exams
• Mentorship and leadership development for students returning to Ethiopia for their senior year