Michell's High School Education
Donation protected
In March of this year I went on my first mission trip to El Salvador to serve at Love & Hope Children's Home which is an orphanage that cares for over 30 children. As many of you saw from the photos, El Salvador is a devastatingly poor country and home to one of the deadliest gangs on earth (MS-13.) However as a privileged American, this trip wasn't about being uncomfortable or inconvenienced for a week. It was about a young girl put directly in my path by God.
In El Salvador, I met a 17 year old girl named Michell who had been living at Love and Hope Children's Home since she was 3 years old. One afternoon we spent a few hours walking the beach together sharing stories about our very different lives. (Her english is very good btw.) She's a gifted soccer player for El Salvador's national team and she has a heart to help others in the same way she's been helped over the past 14 years. In the short amount of time we were together, it became clear to me that all she needed was a chance. Michell's personal story of survival from the time she was a toddler, left me with an undeniable conviction to help her. So I went on another mission and it was all about Michell!
After I got back to Cleveland, I told my husband about Michell. For those of you who don't know, my husband Bob places international student athletes in prep schools, academies and colleges all over the US. I asked him if any of his connections might listen to her story and consider her for scholarship opportunities here in the states. Within 60 days, we got a bite from a school on the west coast for Michell to attend and also play on their varsity soccer team. Michell was beyond excited about this opportunity! Love and Hope then applied for her passport and student visa which needed to be both processed and approved (which is no easy feat) by the El Salvador government.
I'm happy to share that Michell is coming to the United States for her senior year of high school at an academy that offers international students opportunities that they would not have elsewhere. I still cannot believe this story as I type it and share with you all. She starts class next week!
Friends, this is where I need YOUR help and quickly. She needs books, clothes, bedding, toiletries, food, a cell phone, a cell phone plan, flights, luggage, money for non-scholarship covered costs such as international health insurance required by the school at $53/mo. Can you help her? Will you help her? Will you join us?
Every dollar will count. Every bit of effort will count. You will be making a life changing difference in this young woman's life. If you donate, you'll get updates on Michell's progress with both academics and athletics. There is no amount too small. Even if every person reading this donated $1 we could raise close to $5,000 from this Facebook page alone.
We can make this happen for this amazing girl with the story of survival and faith in El Salvador.
I will link the website to the children's home that she lives in below and if you'd rather donate directly to the home, please do that. Make sure you clarify that the funds are for Michell's schooling needs.
http://www.loveandhopechildrenshome.com/
Let's get this movement going for Michell. Thank you and God bless you for serving her.
Best,
LeeAnn Sommers
ps...there are many times when I'm involved with charities and non-profits and people will say to me:
"I wish I would have known about that I would have given something or donated something." I always respond with...."Ok, I'll let you know next time."
THIS IS NEXT TIME.
In El Salvador, I met a 17 year old girl named Michell who had been living at Love and Hope Children's Home since she was 3 years old. One afternoon we spent a few hours walking the beach together sharing stories about our very different lives. (Her english is very good btw.) She's a gifted soccer player for El Salvador's national team and she has a heart to help others in the same way she's been helped over the past 14 years. In the short amount of time we were together, it became clear to me that all she needed was a chance. Michell's personal story of survival from the time she was a toddler, left me with an undeniable conviction to help her. So I went on another mission and it was all about Michell!
After I got back to Cleveland, I told my husband about Michell. For those of you who don't know, my husband Bob places international student athletes in prep schools, academies and colleges all over the US. I asked him if any of his connections might listen to her story and consider her for scholarship opportunities here in the states. Within 60 days, we got a bite from a school on the west coast for Michell to attend and also play on their varsity soccer team. Michell was beyond excited about this opportunity! Love and Hope then applied for her passport and student visa which needed to be both processed and approved (which is no easy feat) by the El Salvador government.
I'm happy to share that Michell is coming to the United States for her senior year of high school at an academy that offers international students opportunities that they would not have elsewhere. I still cannot believe this story as I type it and share with you all. She starts class next week!
Friends, this is where I need YOUR help and quickly. She needs books, clothes, bedding, toiletries, food, a cell phone, a cell phone plan, flights, luggage, money for non-scholarship covered costs such as international health insurance required by the school at $53/mo. Can you help her? Will you help her? Will you join us?
Every dollar will count. Every bit of effort will count. You will be making a life changing difference in this young woman's life. If you donate, you'll get updates on Michell's progress with both academics and athletics. There is no amount too small. Even if every person reading this donated $1 we could raise close to $5,000 from this Facebook page alone.
We can make this happen for this amazing girl with the story of survival and faith in El Salvador.
I will link the website to the children's home that she lives in below and if you'd rather donate directly to the home, please do that. Make sure you clarify that the funds are for Michell's schooling needs.
http://www.loveandhopechildrenshome.com/
Let's get this movement going for Michell. Thank you and God bless you for serving her.
Best,
LeeAnn Sommers
ps...there are many times when I'm involved with charities and non-profits and people will say to me:
"I wish I would have known about that I would have given something or donated something." I always respond with...."Ok, I'll let you know next time."
THIS IS NEXT TIME.
Organizer and beneficiary
LeeAnn Sommers
Organizer
Cleveland, OH
Justin Klubnik
Beneficiary
