I...AM THE CHANGE
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi
Make Change? Me? But how?
I used to dream of a revolutionary change that would result in making "the world a better place." I would get overwhelmingly frustrated with what I felt like was MY task - to change the world. However a few short years later, it occured to me that to make the world a better place doesn't necessarily require an actual revolution. You can make the world a better place by simply helping, bringing someone with you as you achieve, and believeing in them - and this change - this true revolutionary change - happens, one person at a time.
I recently traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where I spent two months assisting Sierra Visions, Inc., a non-profit organization, build their education program, EXCEL. I went over dreaming about the center and having visions about all of the children who would walk through the doors while I was there. Well, things didn't quite go as planned, and we hit many bumps and roadblocks along the way, however the great thing about bumps and roadblocks is that you always GET OVER THEM! Though the center did not open while I was there, it will be opening this summer to serve 50 high school students with educational and college preparation programs.
MY INSPIRATION...
Now after all that, I bet you thought I was going to tell you more about EXCEL, though a wonderful program, I am writing to tell you about my other inspiration...a girl named NANCY. Nancy lived in the house I was staying at while in Africa. She was a little apprehensive at first, but soon she started coming by and saying hi...then sticking around and playing. What was so fun about us hanging out is that Nancy spoke little English and I spoke little Krio, but we would hang around each other for hours, and half the time we didn't even know what the other was saying, but we tried!
When I left Africa in February 2008, I could not stop thinking about the children I met, the schools I visited, the teachers, the classrooms without walls...and many of these were private schools! The government schools (or public schools) operate in much worse conditions with an average student to teacher ratio of 68 to 1, and many days the teachers do not show up to work because they are not getting paid their $150/month salary! Though even for the dedicated teachers who do show up, the lack of facilities and resorces make it difficult to teach. Can you imagine taking a chemistry class without a microscope? While there, I visited one classroom where the teacher had to show the students how to use microsoft word on a chalkboard with a computer drawn on it. However, what's more important to know about my experience is that despite these conditions, the children that have the opportunity to go to school, do so with a smile. Free education is a PRIVILEDGE and it was amazing and inspiring to see children who knew that and continued going to school despite the lack of resources available to them.
I kept thinking to myself that a little would go a long way in Sierra Leone. I kept asking myself what I could do to continue helping once I returned home. Sometimes I would shift back into old thoughts, but the problems are so big and there is so much to do, what can I do to help? But then I reminded myself that true change comes one person at a time and I am starting my change with Nancy!
MY CHANGE...
So here I am with the goal of sending Nancy to a private school. Though the private schools lack many of the resources needed, it is the first step in getting at least one child the education she needs and deserves. My goal is to raise $720 to pay Nancy's school fees, the cost of her uniform, and to provide books and supplies. My plan (actually my mom's) for getting to this goal is SIMPLE - 20 x 3 x 12 = CHANGE
I am looking for 20 people to pledge $36/year or $3/month for at least one year. This will result in the $720 needed to send Nancy to a private school. Not to mention the fact that both my mother and I have already pledged, leaving only $648 to go!!
Realizing we are in a tough economy at the moment, we thought that $3 per month may be a little easier to handle for some (myself included), though a minimum of a one year commitment is still helpful. Payments can be made through paypal (You do not need a paypal account and it's safe & secure) using your credit or debit card.
YOUR NEXT STEP - please email me so that I can set you up to receive an invoice (via email). Each month you will receive an email stating that the payment is due. You make a few clicks on the paypal website and you are done. However, if you prefer, you can also send a check.
THE FUTURE...
I realize that change will come one person at a time and I hope that one person turns into another, and another, and another. WHEN I receive the overwhelming support that I am expecting, my goal is to continue sending Nancy to private school for many years to come, and eventually to college. As the support continues to roll in, I have already selected a school in Freetown to donate materials and supplies to. I am hoping the change BEGINS with Nancy.
Thank you for taking the time to read about MY INSPIRATION! In my better world, everyone will have access to a good, quality education. I deeply believe in the opportunities that education affords you, and I hope you will join me in sending one little girl to school, and being a part of the change that the world needs!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
About making a donation to Nancy's education, about Sierra Visions, Inc., the EXCEL Program, or Sierra Leone in general, please visit the links page.
THANK YOU!
- Mahatma Gandhi
Make Change? Me? But how?
I used to dream of a revolutionary change that would result in making "the world a better place." I would get overwhelmingly frustrated with what I felt like was MY task - to change the world. However a few short years later, it occured to me that to make the world a better place doesn't necessarily require an actual revolution. You can make the world a better place by simply helping, bringing someone with you as you achieve, and believeing in them - and this change - this true revolutionary change - happens, one person at a time.
I recently traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where I spent two months assisting Sierra Visions, Inc., a non-profit organization, build their education program, EXCEL. I went over dreaming about the center and having visions about all of the children who would walk through the doors while I was there. Well, things didn't quite go as planned, and we hit many bumps and roadblocks along the way, however the great thing about bumps and roadblocks is that you always GET OVER THEM! Though the center did not open while I was there, it will be opening this summer to serve 50 high school students with educational and college preparation programs.
MY INSPIRATION...
Now after all that, I bet you thought I was going to tell you more about EXCEL, though a wonderful program, I am writing to tell you about my other inspiration...a girl named NANCY. Nancy lived in the house I was staying at while in Africa. She was a little apprehensive at first, but soon she started coming by and saying hi...then sticking around and playing. What was so fun about us hanging out is that Nancy spoke little English and I spoke little Krio, but we would hang around each other for hours, and half the time we didn't even know what the other was saying, but we tried!
When I left Africa in February 2008, I could not stop thinking about the children I met, the schools I visited, the teachers, the classrooms without walls...and many of these were private schools! The government schools (or public schools) operate in much worse conditions with an average student to teacher ratio of 68 to 1, and many days the teachers do not show up to work because they are not getting paid their $150/month salary! Though even for the dedicated teachers who do show up, the lack of facilities and resorces make it difficult to teach. Can you imagine taking a chemistry class without a microscope? While there, I visited one classroom where the teacher had to show the students how to use microsoft word on a chalkboard with a computer drawn on it. However, what's more important to know about my experience is that despite these conditions, the children that have the opportunity to go to school, do so with a smile. Free education is a PRIVILEDGE and it was amazing and inspiring to see children who knew that and continued going to school despite the lack of resources available to them.
I kept thinking to myself that a little would go a long way in Sierra Leone. I kept asking myself what I could do to continue helping once I returned home. Sometimes I would shift back into old thoughts, but the problems are so big and there is so much to do, what can I do to help? But then I reminded myself that true change comes one person at a time and I am starting my change with Nancy!
MY CHANGE...
So here I am with the goal of sending Nancy to a private school. Though the private schools lack many of the resources needed, it is the first step in getting at least one child the education she needs and deserves. My goal is to raise $720 to pay Nancy's school fees, the cost of her uniform, and to provide books and supplies. My plan (actually my mom's) for getting to this goal is SIMPLE - 20 x 3 x 12 = CHANGE
I am looking for 20 people to pledge $36/year or $3/month for at least one year. This will result in the $720 needed to send Nancy to a private school. Not to mention the fact that both my mother and I have already pledged, leaving only $648 to go!!
Realizing we are in a tough economy at the moment, we thought that $3 per month may be a little easier to handle for some (myself included), though a minimum of a one year commitment is still helpful. Payments can be made through paypal (You do not need a paypal account and it's safe & secure) using your credit or debit card.
YOUR NEXT STEP - please email me so that I can set you up to receive an invoice (via email). Each month you will receive an email stating that the payment is due. You make a few clicks on the paypal website and you are done. However, if you prefer, you can also send a check.
THE FUTURE...
I realize that change will come one person at a time and I hope that one person turns into another, and another, and another. WHEN I receive the overwhelming support that I am expecting, my goal is to continue sending Nancy to private school for many years to come, and eventually to college. As the support continues to roll in, I have already selected a school in Freetown to donate materials and supplies to. I am hoping the change BEGINS with Nancy.
Thank you for taking the time to read about MY INSPIRATION! In my better world, everyone will have access to a good, quality education. I deeply believe in the opportunities that education affords you, and I hope you will join me in sending one little girl to school, and being a part of the change that the world needs!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
About making a donation to Nancy's education, about Sierra Visions, Inc., the EXCEL Program, or Sierra Leone in general, please visit the links page.
THANK YOU!