#HerTurn in Sierra Leone?!

In 2019, the team at Project 214 made its way to Washington, DC for Sofia’s Top Educator of the Year acceptance speech and festivities. At Scholar’s Day DC, NSHSS rallied students, educators, partners, and families for a weekend of recognitions, passion projects, mentor round tables, exhibitions, and more. It was an infectious time of possibilities! 

Moreover, the Passion Project exhibit was extremely inspiring to our organization. The Passion Project segment consisted of various student members who created their own project that displayed their unique “passion” towards world betterment. Some of their projects consisted of: digging wells in 3rd world countries, addressing homelessness, hunger, the arts in high needs communities, and education! Both Sofia and Charise as well as other NSHSS affiliates serving as judges, heard the pitches of each student activist, while observing their visuals from handouts, to 3D structures. The judges would have to deliberate and decide who would win the passion project exhibition and be awarded a grant to further their mission and project goals. It was a difficult process, as they were ALL amazing, noteworthy, and awe-inspiring… from teenagers no less. 

One young lady in particular caught our attention. Her name is Magdelena from Florida. Her business plan was very grass roots, and her demeanor very soft spoken. Her mission and her passion? To educate girls in her hometown of Sierra Leone, Africa. Unfortunately, she didn’t get selected by NSHSS as one of the prized winners but she was seen and hand picked from Project 214. Weeks later, we’d reach out to her and her father and set up a zoom call to tell them that WE as an organization chose her passion project and WE want to help! 

Elation and excitement filled the airwaves. Project 214 leaned in as Magdelena and her father discussed their work in their hometown that is ravaged with poverty, lack of affordable healthcare, and gender inequality in the classroom. Our hearts leaped in both excitement and agreement at their desire to send as many girls to school with the needed resources for a school year.  We shook virtual hands, awarded her Project 214 scholarship, and eagerly awaited the implementation of these efforts. 

Then, COVID happened. Much of the world went into a steady stall and stand-still. Yet, in this current moment, we are happy to share, Magdelena and her father completed their mission on behalf of the scholarship’s award money, and successfully provided tangible resources for various girls in their village! Backpacks, school supplies, and uniforms on deck to make sure that every girl, even if a few, will be empowered to break the cycle of poverty by finding her seat at the school desk. 

This lights another flame along the standing wicks of our #HerTurn campaign that champions for girls education and fair access to the classroom. We can’t be more thrilled at this accomplishment!

One more success, so many more to go. Your continued support, prayers, and belief in us as an organization has made all the difference. We quote our own organization when we say, “Every girl deserves a seat at school -it’s her turn.” Oh, how we mean this. Stay tuned, this party is just getting started.