Hello, my name is Maya Mutalik; I am 18 years old and
I am trying to raise money so that I can get the opportunity to travel to Ghana and volunteer with primary school children through Global Leadership Adventures (GLA). My motivation to join GLA's Children of Africa Program stems from my desire to give back to those without opportunity and education and to pursue my goals as a human rights advocate and aspiring social entrepreneur.
My journey to becoming a spokesperson for gender equality and women’s rights began after writing an article on female genital mutilation in Ethiopia. Having lived a sheltered and privileged life, I felt humbled by the atrocities girls my age experienced. After gaining further exposure to the prejudice and violence girls face around the world, I felt an urgency to take action, and co-founded a chapter of the United Nations Foundation “Girl Up" organization, dedicated to educating my community on pressing global problems and raising funds to help girls in developing nations have access to safe spaces, health resources, and quality education.
That same feeling of urgency led me to discover GLA’s Ghana Children of Africa program. The program gives students the opportunity to tutor primary school children and help build/refurbish Ghanaian schools as well as learn more about the social issues women and children in West Africa are currently facing.
I hope to better understand the reality of the children's lives and the society they live in, in order to best help and encourage them.
The experience and knowledge I gain in Ghana will also help me to pursue my goal to one day use business as a tool to promote social equality in developing nations. After attending a Social Entrepreneurship Conference my freshman year of high school and learning about how profitable social enterprises have brought clean water, blankets, and books to those in need, I developed a personal mandate to use my knowledge and experience to help marginalized individuals. This trip will allow me to help promote education in Ghana as well as learn more about the social problems the country faces, and potential sustainable solutions to those problems.
In order to achieve all of this, I will need all of the support I can get. If you are interested in supporting this project, you can donate on this page, or share this page on social media. I am working hard and saving all my money as well. The money I raise will help pay for the program itself, flight costs, and travel vaccinations. I must have the funds as soon as possible in order to get the process going. No amount is too small. I am truly so appreciative of anyone who is able to support me in this endeavor.
Thank you so much in advance for your consideration and support.