Help Sam Go to College

Hello friends, family, and friends of friends and family,

This past year and a half we have been blessed to have Sam in our lives and have had the privilege of closely witnessing his academic journey and personal growth. After being separated from his mother for over a year, in October of 2022, Sam was finally reunited with is mother in Ashland, Oregon. Sam had been living in India with his father and extended family waiting for approval to join his mother in the United States. Their goal had been to get them both to the United States, so Sam could continue his education, as her mother pursued her teaching career away from the limitations of the caste system and gender inequality in India.

Earlier that fall, I became friends with his mom when she started working at Walker Elementary school where I teach 5th grade. I learned of her story, her struggle, her resilience, and my heart opened to support her anyway I could. Everyone in our school was so happy when we got the news that Sam had finally arrived. Within a few days of his arrival we got to meet him. I was so impressed with his composure and adaptability, being in such a foreign place with little transition time. After meeting him, I knew he would become good friends with my son. We quickly introduced Sam to my son and his friends at the high school and Sam was adopted into their pack.

Within a month of Sam’s arrival, Sam and his mother lost their housing, as the owner of the room they were living in passed away. She was like a mother figure to his mom, so it was very challenging in multiple ways. His mother was able to stay with friends, but she needed a more stable living situation for Sam. I had an extra room, with one of my children attending college overseas, so Sam moved in. Again, I was amazed with his positivity and resilience. I worried that Sam would struggle, not living with his mom, being away from his extended family and culture, but he has more than overcome these obstacles. He shines! He spreads joy! He laughs!

Almost a year later, Sam continues to live with us. He has become a part of our family. My youngest son left for college in August along with most of Sam’s other friends, who were seniors last year. Sam, a senior now, continues to pursue his educational goals and is very excited to be able to follow in the path of his American friends and go to college next year.

Sam is in a very unique situation. As an international student, he is not able to apply for federal or state financial aid. His mother sends all her earnings back to support family in India and they both are experiencing houselessness. It would be such a blessing for Sam to receive some financial support and be able to attend college, so he can purse his dreams to learn and work in the United States, helping the community, spreading joy, and goodwill.

We have set up a college savings account for him and would so appreciate your support.

With gratitude,

Beth VanZee Sanders & Joe Sanders

The following is the college application essay Sam wrote:

I was born in the slums in New Delhi, India. My life has been full of challenges and grace. This is my story.

Although India says that it no longer has a caste system, in reality, it does. My father comes from the untouchable caste in India. He had no education and grew up on the streets. My mother left her home to get away from her abusive brother and father. This could have ruined her, but grace stepped in and brought her to a Christian orphanage. After the orphanage, my mother, a young woman without a dowry, married my father and my life began in the slums.

My mother was fortunate enough to be picked for an educational teaching career. She obtained her teaching credentials and began to travel outside of India to teach, sending all her income back to our family in India. It was very hard for me to be away from my mom, but with better financial stability, we were able to move out of the slums, and I was able to attend a private school in India. Then my mom’s dream to move to the United States became a possibility, and I dreamed of going with her to become the world’s best soccer player.

After being rejected twice, with lots of prayers and diligence, my mom finally got her United States visa. While my mom was in United States working, I was struggling in school in India. I was what we would call a backbencher. I would come to school and sit on the last back seat with my friends and not study at all. My friends and I did not take school seriously and would often distract the class. But then, grace stepped in, or perhaps, my mom. After being away for over a year, my mother was finally able to obtain a visa for me. I was going to join her in the United States.

I started school in October 2022, in Ashland, Oregan as an 11th grader. Although, my private school education in India was in English, I still found it very challenging to adapt and keep up with my peers at Ashland High School. I had just missed the high school soccer season, and when I tried to join club soccer in the winter, I was not allowed to play because of my immigration status. This was very hard to accept. Soccer was my life in India. I was the striker, captain of my team, and we won the state championship.

As well, I had to enroll in an online math course so that I would be prepared for Algebra 2 the following year. Over the summer and fall, I completed the course and was ready for my senior year. Unfortunately, before the soccer season started, I got Covid, and my recovery took time. I missed some of my matches and practices. After my recovery, I couldn’t play as well. In India, I was a star player, but in Ashland I had become a backbencher in soccer, sitting, watching, holding my words, hoping to play. Ironically, I had found some positive friends that encouraged me, and I was doing well in school.

Living in the United States has changed me. I no longer live in the slums, but here in United States my mom and I don’t have a home and are dependent on friends to house us. My dream continues to be a professional soccer player or coach, but that’s not the only thing I want to do. I want to get an education, go to college, and explore other career options. I love to help other people when they’re in need and I’m sure I will be able to find a field in which I can share my compassion and joy. With all that I have been through, I truly believe that I can overcome any obstacle.