In the past few days I’ve written what I hope is authentically about the excitement and pressure of committing to support Sakler Moo’s admission to the Albany Academy, I agreed to pay $6,000 this year and $5,000 each year for the next three years to make up the difference between the scholarship the school offered him and their normal tuition.

Sakler was born in a forest near Burma, he grew up in a refugee camp before coming to America. His father is the family wage earner, he works at a local Wal-Mart,  stacking goods.

I realized his family couldn’t really handle their share of the tuition, which was $2,000. Rather than see them struggle, I decided it was something I can do. And it is.

I raised the $6,000 almost overnight, it was the fastest and most generous response to anything I have asked for so far.

As is almost always the case in America these days, some people wanted to argue with me, they suggested I had gone too far, or that the campaign to get  Sakler into this wonderful and justly famous school was unnecessary, or even a mistake.

It was the biggest campaign I have yet launched. I think it was also the best. Was I rattled? You bet. I do try to stay small, and this is not something I will do every week, I’m not rich enough not to gulp over that much money.

I feel the pressure and responsibility of knowing that if I don’t raise this money every year for the next three years, Sakler will get kicked out of this school, which is not a charity.

Does that mean I shouldn’t have done it?

Let’s talk about that. Some people think so.

“Perhaps committing to pay those school fees was a step too far,” wrote Ruth in a comment she wanted published on my blog. “Keep it small and manageable, help those in real need to enhance their lives. There will always be bright and intelligent kids who will do ok without going to expensive private schools.”

I got a couple of the now familiar bigoted responses from people who believe kids like Sakler and refugees like his parents are taking things that are rightfully theirs. “Why should refugees get this support?,” wrote Alan from Keansburg, Pa. “Those spots should go to Americans. Why don’t you raise money for us?”

Ruth’s message was typical of some of those I have received, it was not in any way overtly bigoted, it was expressed politely and with seeming concern for me, yet there were some sharp ideas hidden in Ruth’s message if you read between the lines, which I do.

One was that she knew better than I did or Ali did or Sakler’s mother or teachers or anyone did what it was that Sakler Moo needed, sitting at her computer in some unknown place without ever having laid eyes on him.

The other was that what I do is like running a small business somewhere on Main Street – keep it small and manageable, balance the books each week, take no chances or risks, don’t let anyone run a tab.

She does not know Sakler, she does not know me.

Another message was that this was not real help that would enhance a life. Presumably, Sakler ought to  stay where he is and go and take a plumbing course, there is a real demand for plumbers.

The third that was Sakler could get what he needed in the Albany Public Schools where he was, even though every one of his admiring and dedicated public school teachers told us that was not true, their classes are enormous, their resources scant.

He needed something more.

Ruth was right about one thing.

It was a big step for me, and it was a frightening step in some ways. I gave up being macho some time ago, I admit to having emotions.

I also believe it to be one of the best and most meaningful steps I have ever taken, and one I am absolutely certain about and committed to. I raised that money in couple of days, and I’ve already raised another $1,000 for next year that people sent me without my even having asked.

This bird is going to fly. We have changed a life, and that is worth taking a lot of risks.

Unlike Ruth, I do know Sakler Moo. I am proud to know him.

I have known him for several years, and I have seen how intelligent and unchallenged he is in the public schools. My friend Ali is a great champion of Sakler’s, he is thrilled beyond words at this opportunity for him.

It is not his teacher’s fault that Sakler needs more, they are underpaid, overworked and often overwhelmed. They are also dedicated, if they couldn’t give him what he needed, they fought for him to get it elsewhere. Unlike so many Americans these days, they are not selfish or narrow-minded. They thought of him first.

It was his public school teachers, in fact, who have been lobbying for several years to get him into the Albany Academy, a school that is prized for its emphasis on solid academics and balanced activities.

Sakler got straight A’s in his school without hardly breaking a sweat, he got the highest honors in his entire Middle School.

He is that smart. He needs to be challenged and taught, he means to be an engineer or scientist. He may well do some great things, or design some remarkable buildings. That is the richest and oldest American story, coming her to find success and make your mark on an open country.

I answered Ruth, and I told her that just because something is difficult doesn’t mean that it is wrong to do. In fact, I believe almost everything worth doing in life is difficult. I am not about being safe, I am about being compassionate, and also responsible, and also transparent.

This is not a step too far, I am glad to say it is also not a step too late. I will get this tuition money for Sakler, and I will be proud and grateful that I did. And thanks to those of you who have helped me.

If anyone wants to help with the remaining (approximately) $4,000 that I need for 2019, it’s never too early. You can send a donation to the Sakler Moon Education Fund – I opened a separate bank account for him so all the money goes immediately towards his tuition fund – by donating to me, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected].

New federal regulations require that all money comes in my registered name, although it can be distributed in different accounts. I now have a refugee/ Mansion account, a Sakler Moo account, and my own personal banking account.

I never thought I would ever have three bank accounts.

Please mark your payment or contribution “Sakler Moo,” and thank you. It’s fun taking a step too far with so many good people.

We might fall off the cliff together, or we might just fly to the stars.