Zinara Lesley College Fund Campaign
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Dear Friends:
I write to you seeking your support for Zinara Lesley, a Trinidadian young woman who has excelled as an athlete and wishes to complete her college career in the US. Her mother and I grew up together and have remained friends over the years. I have tried to support her kids (there are 7 of them) with their educational pursuits and in fact, have most recently been assisting Zinara and her twin sister, Zakiya as students at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Zinara is ranked as the top track and field athlete in her age group in Trinidad for the 800m and 1500m distances. On this basis, I was able to interest Cowley Community College, Kansas in recruiting her as a student athlete. They have one of the best track and field coaches in the US and it would therefore be a good program in which she can further develop her skills as a track and field athlete. Cowley has offered her an athletic scholarship that covers her tuition, fees and books. She is responsible for room, board, health insurance and personal supplies. She will major in elementary education.
Zinara’s parents have long faced significant financial challenges. These challenges were further exacerbated when the oil refinery next to which they live spilled benzene, a toxic chemical used in the oil refining process. This spill, which occurred about 5 years ago, caused the entire family to be hospitalized; it was responsible for a few deaths in the area. Zinara’s mother seemed to have been afflicted the worst among the family as a result of this incident. She was diagnosed with a long list of illnesses including chemically induced pneumonia, skin lesions, asthma, blurred vision and diabetes. She has been unable to return to her job and has been on disability since then. Lacking formal education, her father has been unable to maintain regular employment. In effect, Zinara’s parents are unable to support her in this endeavor.
Thankfully, the US Embassy granted Zinara a student visa on July 3rd, and she will arrive in the US on July 26 to begin her training. I believe that Zinara has the potential to excel as an athlete and successfully compete at the World Championships and even the Olympics if she receives the proper coaching and support. Assuming that she succeeds at Cowley College, it is quite likely that she will be recruited by a four-year college where she can complete her bachelors degree as well.
I would so appreciate your support as I try to raise $10,000 to help cover Zinara’s room, board and supplies for the coming academic year. Your generosity will make a transformative difference in the life of this young woman. Many thanks.
I write to you seeking your support for Zinara Lesley, a Trinidadian young woman who has excelled as an athlete and wishes to complete her college career in the US. Her mother and I grew up together and have remained friends over the years. I have tried to support her kids (there are 7 of them) with their educational pursuits and in fact, have most recently been assisting Zinara and her twin sister, Zakiya as students at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Zinara is ranked as the top track and field athlete in her age group in Trinidad for the 800m and 1500m distances. On this basis, I was able to interest Cowley Community College, Kansas in recruiting her as a student athlete. They have one of the best track and field coaches in the US and it would therefore be a good program in which she can further develop her skills as a track and field athlete. Cowley has offered her an athletic scholarship that covers her tuition, fees and books. She is responsible for room, board, health insurance and personal supplies. She will major in elementary education.
Zinara’s parents have long faced significant financial challenges. These challenges were further exacerbated when the oil refinery next to which they live spilled benzene, a toxic chemical used in the oil refining process. This spill, which occurred about 5 years ago, caused the entire family to be hospitalized; it was responsible for a few deaths in the area. Zinara’s mother seemed to have been afflicted the worst among the family as a result of this incident. She was diagnosed with a long list of illnesses including chemically induced pneumonia, skin lesions, asthma, blurred vision and diabetes. She has been unable to return to her job and has been on disability since then. Lacking formal education, her father has been unable to maintain regular employment. In effect, Zinara’s parents are unable to support her in this endeavor.
Thankfully, the US Embassy granted Zinara a student visa on July 3rd, and she will arrive in the US on July 26 to begin her training. I believe that Zinara has the potential to excel as an athlete and successfully compete at the World Championships and even the Olympics if she receives the proper coaching and support. Assuming that she succeeds at Cowley College, it is quite likely that she will be recruited by a four-year college where she can complete her bachelors degree as well.
I would so appreciate your support as I try to raise $10,000 to help cover Zinara’s room, board and supplies for the coming academic year. Your generosity will make a transformative difference in the life of this young woman. Many thanks.
Organizer
Heidi Charles
Organizer
Urbana, IL