Hello all,
My name is Ruby Vega and I am a rising senior at Georgetown University studying Culture & Politics: Immigration and Migration. Recently, I was accepted into a fellowship program, GU Impacts, which provides Georgetown students with experiential learning opportunities in the social sector within the U.S. and around the world (link: http://beeckcenter.georgetown.edu/gu-impacts/). For this fellowship cycle, GU Impacts has placed me in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Eastern Europe) for a service project with the goal of providing financial and emotional support to women in these areas affected by war. Women for Women International, the organization I will be working with, wants to share their stories, and as a fellow, I will be assisting in creating a database of stories that show the impact of their program on the lives of the women they work with. In addition, I will be creating written material and videos on their success stories and help with grant writing.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program, just as I am grateful for my education. Going from El Monte to Georgetown has allowed me to fulfill my desire to learn more about the world, hear from different voices, and experience life beyond the classroom. In the past, I have only had one opportunity -- a study trip to Kenya, with Georgetown's African Studies program. During this trip, I had the privilege of studying the social, political and economic scene in Kenya first-hand, rather than out of a textbook. In my view, this trip allowed me to see things for myself, assess things for myself, and form my own worldview. This program in Bosnia and Herzegovina will grant me a similar experience, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of Women for Women International.
With the help from supportive family and friends, I was able to collect enough money for the brief trip to Kenya last year. This time around, however, my stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be longer (~2.5 months) and the cost will be higher. As a first-generation, low-income student, I am earning money through work-study, but unfortunately the funds I am raising myself will not be enough to sustain me throughout this fellowship. As of now, the financial estimate for the trip is ~$5,000, but since I obtained a grant, I only need ~$2,000 to offset the cost. If anyone would be so kind as to donate to my fellowship travel fund, any and all contributions would be much appreciated. Even sharing this fundraiser with others would be a huge help. :)
Thank you all so much,
Ruby
My name is Ruby Vega and I am a rising senior at Georgetown University studying Culture & Politics: Immigration and Migration. Recently, I was accepted into a fellowship program, GU Impacts, which provides Georgetown students with experiential learning opportunities in the social sector within the U.S. and around the world (link: http://beeckcenter.georgetown.edu/gu-impacts/). For this fellowship cycle, GU Impacts has placed me in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Eastern Europe) for a service project with the goal of providing financial and emotional support to women in these areas affected by war. Women for Women International, the organization I will be working with, wants to share their stories, and as a fellow, I will be assisting in creating a database of stories that show the impact of their program on the lives of the women they work with. In addition, I will be creating written material and videos on their success stories and help with grant writing.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this program, just as I am grateful for my education. Going from El Monte to Georgetown has allowed me to fulfill my desire to learn more about the world, hear from different voices, and experience life beyond the classroom. In the past, I have only had one opportunity -- a study trip to Kenya, with Georgetown's African Studies program. During this trip, I had the privilege of studying the social, political and economic scene in Kenya first-hand, rather than out of a textbook. In my view, this trip allowed me to see things for myself, assess things for myself, and form my own worldview. This program in Bosnia and Herzegovina will grant me a similar experience, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of Women for Women International.
With the help from supportive family and friends, I was able to collect enough money for the brief trip to Kenya last year. This time around, however, my stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be longer (~2.5 months) and the cost will be higher. As a first-generation, low-income student, I am earning money through work-study, but unfortunately the funds I am raising myself will not be enough to sustain me throughout this fellowship. As of now, the financial estimate for the trip is ~$5,000, but since I obtained a grant, I only need ~$2,000 to offset the cost. If anyone would be so kind as to donate to my fellowship travel fund, any and all contributions would be much appreciated. Even sharing this fundraiser with others would be a huge help. :)
Thank you all so much,
Ruby