“Educate a boy and you educate an individual. Educate a girl and you educate a community” African Proverb
In the United States it is expected that every child has the opportunity to go to school. Public education is free and available to everyone thanks to taxes. After high school there are many opportunities for scholarships, grants and loans so that someone can move on and continue learning at an institute of higher education. In Cameroon it is just not that way. Some of you may remember that in an earlier blog I spoke about a scholarship that I was helping to get off the ground in the North West and that almost 20 girls were benefiting from it. On Friday morning I went to Government Bali High School and Self Reliance Comprehensive High School to deliver the four scholarships to the girls that had been chosen. The girls were embarrassed when made to come in front of the entire school (GBHS has over 1,000 students) but you could also see the pride in their faces. When I glanced to the other students you could almost see determination set in when it was explained that the scholarships were merit based. I hope that watching these girls receive such aide will give other students the drive to work hard in school. I wanted to thank everyone who donated to A2Empowerment but especially to my Aunt Michele, you are a very special lady and I am so thankful to have you in my life!
Following visiting the two high schools, I made my way to the grand stand at the center of town. The Bali Education Ladies had planned another scholarship ceremony for that day. Thanks to my family, best friends and some members of Greer First Presbyterian and the women of the Education group, we were able to give 28 primary school girls partial scholarships for the 2010/2011 school year. The entire day was extremely moving and would not have been possible without the aid from the States. I wanted to share with those who donated that you have a place in Bali if ever you make it to Cameroon. The community, parents, principals and teacher are ever so grateful. During the ceremony a group of children sang a song that was talking about being a light. They changed it every chorus but during a part of it they sang that I was a light to them and that I should keep shining. It was extremely moving and I wanted you all to know that I could not have been a light for them without you. Thank you so much for understanding the importance of education and of helping those less fortunate than you.
