Stop Sexual Assault on Ecuadorean Girls
Help Fund a Peace Corps Volunteer to spread awareness of sexual violence on school aged girls in Ecuador!
"Between 22% and 63% of Ecuadorian girls report sexual abuse in school, a problem that has become systemic after years of receiving scant attention from the government. As a Health Volunteer in the Peace Corps, I will have the opportunity to spread awareness on the devastating psychological and social impacts of rape and sexual assault to remote villages in Ecuador."
MY STORY:
SERVICE IS THE RENT WE PAY FOR LIVING-Marian Wright Edelman (Children's Defense Fund)
This is the motto I live by and here is why: I grew up in Jamaica, the little island of sunshine and beauty. The first twelve years of my life were filled with abuse, neglect, and extreme poverty. When I was barely two years old, my mother migrated to the United States leaving behind my younger brother and I. After which I was passed along from one family member to the next. At the age of nine I was raped by my own father. By the time I was thirteen I had lived in fifteen different households and had numerous sexual assault attempts on me. Things began to turn in my favor at the age of thirteen when my mother arranged for my brother and I to live with her in the United States. While living in America, I still faced many difficult situations but despite these challenges, I worked hard throughout high school and graduated in the top 10% of my class. I went on to receive an exceptional education at one of the nation's top educational institution, the College of William and Mary. After which, I went on to pursue a master's degree at George Mason University. I feel so blessed and fortunate for all the opportunities and the people who guided me along the way. Because of who I turned out to be and the odds that I had beaten to get here, I have no regrets about my childhood.
Unfortunately, there are so many women and young girls around the world who may not get the opportunity like I did to escape their destructive environments. I applied to the United States Peace Corps because I want to reach and bring hope to these young girls and women in isolated areas of the world who face similar situations as I faced while growing up in Jamaica. I so desperately want to help them to heal from the impacts of sexual assault and rape. As a Health Volunteer in the Peace Corps, I will have the opportunity to spread awareness on the devastating psychological and social impacts of rape and sexual assault. Life is about serving and encouraging others as well as giving of myself and my time to those in need. Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children's Defense Fund said it best "service is the rent we pay for living". I truly believe that this is my calling and this is my way of helping to make this world a better and safer place for women and children. I begin my Peace Corps service in May 2014 in ECUADOR! I am so grateful and excited to begin my life long career of serving and advocating on behalf of women and young girls.
I NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS A REALITY:
One of the Peace Corps' requirement is that I am debt free before the start date of my service (less than 4 months away). My current salary makes it nearly impossible for me to pay off my outstanding student loans and medical bills before May 2014. This is why I am asking for your help!
My debt include student loans and medical bills totaling $11, 345.00. Once I found out I was accepted into the program in November 2013, I have been able to save $1,546. I plan to continue saving as much as I can before May. With your help and a second job, I hope to raise the $9,799. I will greatly appreciate any help you are able to provide to make my lifelong dream of advocacy a reality.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I hope at the very least I am able to inspire you to live out your dreams regardless of life's limitations.
Thank you!
SINCERELY,
Natasha A. Bridge
CONTACT INFO:
Email: [email redacted]
Telephone: (703)-789-1335
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
I know some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help. Get the word out and make some noise about my campaign. Spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Disclosure: Anything written on this site does not reflect the views or opinion of the United States Peace Corps.
