Overcoming life's obstacles and enduring the jabs and hooks that life threw my way became a constant in my life at a very young age. I learned to numb emotional pain and thoughts because this was "best" for me. Bottled up emotions pushed me into my therapist's arms, BUT this birthed the Khadijah that I am today. Diversity and adverse circumstances have been a constant in my life, and although I fell down, I never stayed there. For perspective, my GPA is 3.10 as opposed to a 2.0 by the end of my freshmen year.

Despite my shortcomings, I have been granted the opportunity to study abroad in Belize (May 14-June 9) with the University of Arkansas. As a first generation student of a single mother, participating in an opportunity as this is invaluable to my collegiate career and beyond. 

Throughout the duration of the study, I will have the opportunity to teach life-skills to elementary school children, create after-school programs for at-risk children and conduct outreach to community members of all ages on such topics as personal hygiene, HIV and AIDs, domestic violence, substance abuse, conflict resolution, parenting skills, self-esteem, national identity and cohesion, leadership development, coping with grief and loss, and empowerment skills.

I appreciate your passing along of this message. The goal includes the cost of the program, tuition and fees, and flight. Every dollar counts. Thank you very much.