Rewriting Our Future
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My name is Cathy and I am a third year premed student at York College of Pennsylvania. At York, I am a member of an honors program called the Graham Innovation Scholars Program. This program strives to develop extraordinary leaders through the utilization of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking. Through the generosity of our program donor, Donald Graham; Megan, Ezra and I have the opportunity to study abroad with a faculty member this summer! We will be visiting my home country, Liberia, to indulge in a learning experience focusing on the healthcare sector, government infrastructure, and social outlets.
Here is my story......
I was born and spent the beginning of my childhood in a small country in West Africa called Liberia. Prior to my birth, a series of civil wars damaged the country’s infrastructure, destroying the economy and the education system. Currently, Liberia’s education sector is hindered by a lack of schools, supplies, and opportunities.
Most children in Liberia are deprived of basic school supplies such as pencils, paper, and backpacks. This is due to the fact that families have to support their children with a small income that is dependent on whether the government decides to pay its employees. After paying school fees and purchasing uniforms, parents have no money remaining to purchase school supplies. While in elementary school, I remember using a 50 sheet composition notebook for 6 classes over the course of two academic years. I also remember sharing a pencil with three to four classmates just to copy notes. In fact, most students missed exams because they did not have a pencil. Similarly, I have no recollection of a Library because literary and fictional books were not available to us.
After transitioning to the United States, I became more fortunate than my classmates and peers in Liberia. Thus, I decided to do a fundraiser to collect school supplies for children in Liberia. These supplies will go to my old elementary school. I began the fundraiser in my junior year of high school and collected a few supplies but these items were not sufficient to meet all the needs of these students. With your help, I can collect enough supplies to provide every child with at least one pencil, a book, notebook etc. I would also like to start a library so kids can enjoy the satisfaction and rewards of reading.
I was taught that education is the key to success but these children cannot be successful without these essential supplies. Without contributions like yours, more children will go without the basic necessities for a good education.
Please take everything that I have said into consideration and join me in restoring hope, smiles, and an appetite for learning to my friends in Liberia. I know they will be more excited and appreciative than I am. Thank you for listening.
Here is my story......
I was born and spent the beginning of my childhood in a small country in West Africa called Liberia. Prior to my birth, a series of civil wars damaged the country’s infrastructure, destroying the economy and the education system. Currently, Liberia’s education sector is hindered by a lack of schools, supplies, and opportunities.
Most children in Liberia are deprived of basic school supplies such as pencils, paper, and backpacks. This is due to the fact that families have to support their children with a small income that is dependent on whether the government decides to pay its employees. After paying school fees and purchasing uniforms, parents have no money remaining to purchase school supplies. While in elementary school, I remember using a 50 sheet composition notebook for 6 classes over the course of two academic years. I also remember sharing a pencil with three to four classmates just to copy notes. In fact, most students missed exams because they did not have a pencil. Similarly, I have no recollection of a Library because literary and fictional books were not available to us.
After transitioning to the United States, I became more fortunate than my classmates and peers in Liberia. Thus, I decided to do a fundraiser to collect school supplies for children in Liberia. These supplies will go to my old elementary school. I began the fundraiser in my junior year of high school and collected a few supplies but these items were not sufficient to meet all the needs of these students. With your help, I can collect enough supplies to provide every child with at least one pencil, a book, notebook etc. I would also like to start a library so kids can enjoy the satisfaction and rewards of reading.
I was taught that education is the key to success but these children cannot be successful without these essential supplies. Without contributions like yours, more children will go without the basic necessities for a good education.
Please take everything that I have said into consideration and join me in restoring hope, smiles, and an appetite for learning to my friends in Liberia. I know they will be more excited and appreciative than I am. Thank you for listening.
Organizer
Cathy Cooper
Organizer
Coatesville, PA
