Shelley St. Omer-Roy and Samuel Mendelson write: HSJ is a first year student at The Gambia College. She is currently part of the Head Teacher Certificate program to become a certified high school school teacher. HSJ excelled throughout high school, serving as the school co-president and finishing at the top of her class in grade 12. She also was selected by her headmaster due to her outstanding leadership skills and work ethic to participate in Roots Tribe Yoga Camp, a Peace Corps countrywide program that empowers participants to create change in their own communities.
HSJ is intelligent, funny, outgoing, kind, and determined. She has been a leader in her school and rural community, overcoming financial constraints and rigid gender norms. While HSJ has the support of her family, rising costs of tertiary education limit her ability to continue her education and pursue her goals.
HSJ aspires to attend the University of The Gambia, the premier institution of higher learning in The Gambia, and ultimately give back to her community. HSJ received six credits or above on her WASSCE exams (the grade 12 school exam), and plans to re-sit three subjects in Fall 2019 to strengthen her application for university. Your support will empower HSJ to continue her education, uninhibited, and to excel, break barriers, and have a positive impact on her community.