Dear Friends,

A quarter of a century has passed by since the time I entered this world and my vision of a world of coexistence and prosperity has only become clearer and more demanding. From the elk hunters in Idaho and beach bums of Ecuador to the beggars of Morocco and electronic gurus of Japan I have met individuals throughout our global community that have reaffirmed my pursuit in removing barriers of misperception that often prevent us from realizing our common love for humanity. Although misunderstandings are present in most communities, a region that has been victim to the most damaging effects of false notions of identity and ways of life is perhaps the Middle East.

The destructive division between the United States and the Middle East has never been so apparent since September 11th, 2001. With tainted perceptions and blurred assumptions our views of the Middle East have been regulated to images of religious extremism and political instability. Having visited several countries throughout the Middle East ranging from Morocco and Egypt to Jordan and Lebanon I have made it a mission to clear the air of communication and open discussions for collaboration in the Middle East to allow Americans to see the true compassion our Middle Eastern counterparts have for us as we should have for them. It is that small and dark window that which I would like to open and personally serve as a doorway for a stronger and lasting relationships.

I like to think of myself as a “grassroots civilian diplomat” when people ask what I do and why I do it. The love I have received from Middle Eastern descendants, while in the region and in the US, has made me fall in love with the people and reassured my support from their community to unite with our American community. This year I will be extending that mission to include Iran. With heightened political tensions it has never been so important to remember that political leaders are merely just that, political leaders. People are still people whether or not they agree with their government officials. This August I will be joining a delegation of 15-20 people to Iran to meet local Iranians who have the same vision as I do to see what can be done in each of our countries and how we can collaborate on different initiatives to remind our fellow countrymen and countrywomen of our common pursuit of happiness and concern for each others livelihoods. It is this delegation of unparalleled steps to build bridges and not create new divides that which I need your help.

Only 500 U.S. citizens are traveling to Iran at this time and I have been granted a unique opportunity to be one of those few and serve as a liaison between the Iranian and American communities. My moral support from you and my family has never dimmed and so I now ask if you can further support me by donating $50-$500 to fund this mission that I will soon embark. The 15-day trip is scheduled to begin on August 5th but I need to raise $2,000 by July 22nd. Any and all support is much appreciated. If you are curious as to the delegation and program with which I will be going you can visit their website at www.forusa.org/programs/iran/ The Fellowship of Reconciliation is an interfaith organization working for global peace through dialogue and people-to-people diplomacy.

When I return from Iran, I will be anxious to share my experience through townhall presentations and dinner-table discussions involving photos and many stories so please do let me know if I can do that with you and your affiliations. I will be traveling extensively this upcoming year so it is very much possible that I can visit your community.

Thanks for your continued support and feel free to send your questions to me if you have any. I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Cheers,
-Vicente