<div>Hello! My name is Eliso Morazara. I’m a student from Madagascar, studying Computer Science at Lafayette College, and it’s been 2 years since I last saw my family. <strong>I need to go home this winter break. I’m afraid that if I wait any longer, something might happen, and that I would only return for a funeral.</strong>
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<div>When I was 13, my grandpa asked me to visit him in the village. I didn’t go because I thought I’d have a better time later in the summer. But that same weekend, he passed away. It’s my biggest regret in life, especially because I traveled to the village for his funeral the next day. I want to make sure I don’t make the same mistake again — I want to see my family while I still can.
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<div>Last spring, my startup idea won first place in the Dyer Center Big Idea Pitch Competition. Lafayette gave me and the team I recruited a stipend to work on it full-time over the summer. However, my share of the stipend is all gone. It went to cover housing, food, helping my parents, and paying for my grandma's eye surgery. Now I have nothing left in my bank account.
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<div><strong>I’m asking for any help to make this trip possible.</strong> I’ll be using these funds for plane tickets, transportation from and to the airport. Anything you can give would make a huge difference to me and my community.
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<div>When I last went home, I was greeted with an incredible reception from my village. I had the chance to speak to about 200 people near the village square and another 150 at the local high school. When I talk to them, I focus on five main points—four for the youth and one for the parents and elders:
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<div><strong>To the youth</strong>:
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<div>1- The people of Milanoa are smart and capable. We should be proud and have hope.
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<div>2- If you want to be successful, you need to respect your elders and those with knowledge. We must be humble and open to learning.
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<div>3- Learning how to speak English will open more doors than one can imagine.
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<div>4- Have pride in our village, and make Milanoa proud.
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<div><strong>To the parents</strong>: I urge them to let their kids go to school and learn, and to support them however they can.
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<div>Thank you so much for your donation!
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Niza Volair

Mad IX

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Help An International Malagasy Student Reunite with Family

Help An International Malagasy Student Reunite with Family

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