Send Joan to College
Those
of you who know me know I am not the type to ask for donations. So I would like
you to think of this as my Girl Scout cookie sign-up, my
shower-wedding-baby-retirement gift or my few-bucks-for-a-good-cause plea. In
short, I need your help to help a very special person.
Let
me introduce you to Joan Binos Batalla. She lives in Tabaco City in the
Philippines. When I first started corresponding with her, she was 7. This year
she turns 16.
We've
written back and forth for years, but last year I had the chance to meet her in
person. I traveled to the
Over
the nine years we have corresponded, Joan continuously writes about how much
she loves school. When her family welcomed us into their home, we saw the walls
of the room were covered with Joan's scholastic awards. There were ribbons and
certificates for excellence in math and physics and an array of Best in Class
pins. The pride on her parents' faces "“ and even some of the neighbors "“ was
touching.
It
made me realize the vital importance her parents put on education as a way for
their children to escape poverty. In a home where the monthly income is $23,
this is rare. Joan's mother is a housekeeper, and her father is a laborer. Joan
could have started working years ago to help support her family. But, her
parents chose to keep her and her two brothers in school.
This
year, Joan graduated from high school with honors.
Before
I met Joan in person, I was so proud of myself for helping this little girl in
a far away country. I thought my little monthly donation was helping to pull at
least one family out of poverty. I could see directly how much impact the money
was having. I felt pretty good.
But,
after visiting Joan and getting her subsequent letters, I saw how much our
visit meant to her, to her family and to me. She writes often about how she
looks up to me, how I inspire her every day to study harder and be all she can
be. I realized that, without knowing it, I was helping empower a little girl to
grow into a strong woman.
Now
I want to send Joan to college.
She
wants to study secondary education. A year's college tuition in the
But
I am going to need your help in reaching the final goal. Joan and I will be forever
grateful for any help you can provide and any amount helps.
Thank
you in advance,
Beth
and Joan
P.S.
I am also willing to donate my web design services to any corporation that
would like to help out. A mere $70 gets you an hour of work!