Monthly Archives: January 2012

ENJOY this video of the younger children at the Royal Kids School blowing bubbles during games period!

As I’ve welcomed the New Year, I’ve also looked back on all the things that happened in 2011. It’s hard to imagine that exactly a year ago I was in Kenya for the very first time. I was just meeting the children, seeing the school, and formulating my campaign.  It seems crazy that in only a year I’ve been able to travel to Kenya twice, complete my campaign, graduate, complete a semester of college, and launch my blog.

The highlight of 2011 was most definitely my trips to Kenya; they changed my life. I’ve just fallen in love with the atmosphere, the school, and most of all the children at the Royal Kids School (RKS). I’ve always said it’s hard to describe the experience, and it really is hard to do capture the joy, excitement, and hope that permeates the air at the school. The kids at RKS understand that school is important, that it can change their lives, and give them ability to achieve their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, or lawyers. The first trip to Kenya was an eye-opener; it was a trip of adjustments and realizations that led to the 18 for 18 campaign. The second trip, I knew what I was getting myself into and it became more about enjoying all the changes that had come about since January, and sharing the experience with my family. Not knowing when I’m going back is weird, it’s weird to know that the kids could be on the verge of graduating eighth grade by the time I get to see them again.

Even though I might not be back in Kenya for another year or more, it is nice to know that I still can hear from them through the pen-pal program that has continued beyond my senior project, and has continued without my presence in Kenya. It was an exciting day when I received letters from Kenya without having sent letters first or asked for them to be sent. It’s nice to know that other people are excited and invested in something I’ve created. Going to college in state (University of Virginia) has also allowed me to stay involved with the pen-pal project on a first hand basis.

Beyond my accomplishments with 18 for 18 and the pen-pal project, 2011 also brought new inspiration. I moved away from home, into the dorms at UVA, and have been exposed to new global opportunities in the larger university community. I’ve learned about the Invisible Children organization and also the founding of the TOMS shoe company, and both have inspired me to look into what GlobalPaige can become. I know where I want to head, but I don’t know what exactly that looks like.

There are a lot of steps between where I am now and becoming a successful organization. Luckily, I’m only a college freshman so I have plenty of time to continue learning about our world and exposing myself to other organizations before I have to fully create my own.

Looking back, 2011 was a year of many accomplishments for me and I can only hope that 2012 is a similarly successful year as I continue my education and campaigns to guarantee my seventh graders access to the education they deserve.