Good morning! If you’ve been keeping up with my blog income reports on Make Money Your Way, you’ll know ever since my second website launched in July 2013, I’ve been dedicating 10% of my blogging income to scholarships for young students in my village. Initially, the plan was to offer two scholarships to the top two girls graduating middle school, so they could continue to high school or trade school.
As of now, my education fund has accumulated $404 from July, $253 from August, $297 from September, $357 from October, and $269 from November, totaling $1,580.
One of my readers, touched by the initiative, visited the village and decided to match my donations up to $2,000. Remarkably, he’s already donated the full amount, allowing me to plan more extensive support.
When I visited the school to offer the scholarships, I discussed this with the director and the third-grade teacher (the last grade before high school). I intended to favor girls, but the top student turned out to be a boy, and the second-best was a girl. Initially, my offer was to cover full boarding school expenses for the top student for three years, so I asked the second student what she wished to study.
I had informed the class that the second-ranked student would receive a scholarship to trade school. However, after visiting the trade school, I found the options for girls were limited to beauty and nail decoration courses, cooking, or more technical fields like car mechanics and refrigeration. The only moderate option was cooking school.
When I asked the girl what she wanted, she said cooking school, but I sensed her hesitation. She had already researched the available courses, which was impressive given the lack of internet or accessible information in her village 20 miles away. I then suggested if she wanted to consider something else, like secretary school. She expressed that becoming a primary school teacher was her true dream.
With the generous $2,000 donation, I calculated that I could afford to send both the top boy and the girl to boarding school. I asked the girl if she could pursue her dream of becoming a primary school teacher at boarding school, and she confirmed this. I also ensured with her that her parents were supportive.
The boy, who was the valedictorian, is shy and motivated, aiming to become an accountant. With excellent math skills, he too was eager to attend the boarding school. This school, selected by my neighbor who sponsors previous valedictorians, is among the best, though not cheap.
After enrolling the kids, who were ecstatic, I received the cost details. They needed essentials for their dorms like mattresses, light bulbs, Bibles (since it’s a private school), bed sheets, curtains, a chair, a broom, a mop, and a bin. They will share a bathroom among four and handle their laundry and cleanliness.
The tuition, which includes room, board, and lab usage, totals $2,507 per child, including a $30 deposit for room damages. Uniforms cost $88 per child, covering two tops, two bottoms, and one sports uniform, with a hope that this is a one-time fee if they don’t grow too quickly. The estimated cost for mattresses and other household items is around $100 per child.
In total, the cost per child is $2,695, bringing the total for both to $5,390. After accounting for the $2,000 donation from the reader, I need to cover $3,390. Families will handle hygiene, clothing, and travel expenses, but I pledged to assist them if they struggle, provided the kids maintain good grades.
I have $1,580 in my fund now, so I need another $1,810 by the end of December 2014. Based on current online income trends, I should reach this amount by May, allowing time to save more for the following years—as I anticipate needing $5,000 annually for 2015 and 2016 unless another donor steps forward.
Alongside this, I’m funding smaller scholarships for younger kids going to middle and primary schools. Some families can’t afford essentials like shoes, supplies, or uniforms, often around $30, which prohibits kids from attending school. I told the teachers to refer such cases to me for support.
This initiative is a full donation, meaning I don’t expect anything in return. While a thank you would be nice, there’s no obligation for the children to send regular updates, unlike typical child sponsorship programs. They can remain focused on their studies, particularly the young girls I hope to support.
Of the 30 kids who finished primary school, only 10 are registered for middle school, mainly due to financial constraints. If at least 14 don’t enroll, the state won’t provide a teacher for the village school. I aim to at least facilitate the enrollment of the missing four kids, which I estimate will cost around $500, though final figures aren’t confirmed.
If education is a cause you’re passionate about and you’d like to learn more or make a donation, feel free to contact me at tdmpauline@gmail.com. Donations of any amount are welcome, and I’ll cover any fees and conversion rates to ensure full support goes directly to the project. Happy holidays!