FROM PIF (Pay it Forward Student) TO STAR !!
HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP US CHANGE LIVES!!
Most of our supporters know that our mission is to “change lives through education”. A key part of this is the TWO YEARS that our HS grads spend Paying It Forward. This includes helping libraries, computer lab, working with clubs, assisting teachers, mentoring students etc.
Beyond this, Solo organizes lots of personal development (public speaking, community service, time management and computer classes) to help them prepare for the next step. They read Rudolph’s book “Becoming Your Dream” and try to decide what education/career they will pursue.
WE NOW HAVE 13 STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY AND 20 HAVE GRADUATED.
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
They apply to their selected university. Univ of Cape Coast and Kwame Nkrumah Inst of Sci & Tech are among the selections. If they are accepted, they apply for a Tomorrow’s Stars scholarship. The awards committee consists of 5 Stars who decide based on PIF performance, academics (HS Nat exam score), etc. These awards can include tuition, hostel/dorm, and a book allowance. They are often allowed to take a laptop from our ICT lab inventory. And off they go.
Amazingly, for most courses, an award of about $1000 is enough to cover most costs. But some courses are not subsidized by the government and costs may be over $3000 per year.
Joseph is first year in Petroleum Eng. He got straight A’s first semester. Sharon is in Early Childhood Education in Distance Learning. She also works with TS in Libraries and our KG Resource Room. She is great with small children.
THE TOMORROW’S STARS EDGE!
During the 4 years of university, they can reapply each year for an award and their academic performance is a main consideration. Often, our students become class leaders and class reps in their chosen major. This is because the PIF experience matures them and, simply put, our students work harder and are team players.
Esther is a banking student at Nduom University. Justice studies Med. Lab Tech at Univ of Health and Applied Sciences.
Mary is 3rd year Nursing student. Lawrenda is beginning 3rd year in Medicine.
ATTACHMENTS
In Ghana, students can apply for “attachments”. These are like co-ops or internships, in their chosen field. These come during times between semesters and we encourage the experience to gain knowledge and references in their field. They are paid NOTHING for the attachment, but are given a useful learning opportunity. Students apply for small awards to cover travel expenses, etc usually less than $100. What a great investment for Tomorrow’s Stars!
Daniel is a Mechanical Eng student. His attachment is in the lab at a local water and juice company. Emmanuel is class president studying medical lab technology. His attachment is at a hospital in Accra.
GRADUATION AND NATIONAL SERVICE
Upon completion of the 4 yrs (for most) a student graduates (often with honors) and is assigned to a year of NATIONAL SERVICE. This is nearly always an assignment in their field of study and often in a rural area (especially for teachers). Another great learning experience. They are not paid much, but this is part of a gov’t subsidized education. It is a great idea and the US could benefit from something like this.
Leticia just graduated with degree in Early Childhood Education. We are hoping that her National Service will be at local Bantuma School where we have a library. Isaac graduated #1 in his class (of 92) in Pre Law.
BECOMING THEIR DREAM AND COMING BACK!
After the year of Service, our STARs have a degree, experience in their chosen field and hopefully a resume with good references and a real head start on “Becoming Their Dream”. We are so proud of each of them.
And they come back to visit to help us “change lives through education”!
Solo is our Managing Director in Ghana. He has a Masters in Mgmt and BA in Education. Francis is an Optometrist and manages the Elmina Vision Clinic. Both are on our Board of Directors.
Eric has a degree in Chem Eng and works as QC Officer at a steel mill in Tema. Philo is a teacher at Sefwi school near Elmina, she is starting our second Resource Room
Rudolph: Pioneer, Doctor, Amazon Author and Ghana National Clinical Coordinator
Joseph: National Journalism student of Year. President of Class at Ghana Inst of Journalism
Otabil: Physician Assistant. Will get his license in October. Ping Pong champion.
THEY ALL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Tomorrow's Stars 