This is Smika Khand. Sarah and I lived with her and her family in Nepal while serving in the Peace Corps. Against all odds, she has been accepted to study in the United States and is now entering her sophomore year at Youngstown State University where she is studying Civil Engineering. Smika comes from a low-income farming family and is the first person in her family to attend college and leave the country for a degree. Smika has done an exceptional job in her first year, and has maintained a high GPA while learning and adapting to American Culture. She is an absolute inspiration, and it has been amazing to watch her grow into a leader for young women in her community!

Smika needs your help to pay for her education. She is incredibly intelligent and motivated to succeed, but comes from a family who is not able to help pay for the expenses of college. Any amount will help. Please donate what you can and know that your contribution is benefiting not only an individual, but a family, a community, and will certainly inspire other young women in Nepal to pursue their dreams. All funds raised will go directly to her tuition, books and school expenses. Thank you!!