The 2009-2010 Scholarship Program is well under way!

Meet Mariam Vandi

a female student benefiting from the Scholarship Program

Mariam Vandi, center in beret, with classmates

Mariam is 14 years old and has just begun her first year of junior secondary school. She attends College Secondary School in Kenema after completing her primary education in Jokibu.

Since Mariam’s family does not own land her father, Vandi, works on a farm in Jokibu and sends vegetables to Mariam’s mother, Ramatulai, to sell in the Kenema market. In addition to vegetables, her mother sells small blocks of ice and cool water. Mariam prepares food, fetches water, and assists her younger siblings, Hassan and Gbesay, each morning. She is also responsible for securing the ice in tied plastic bags. After finishing her morning chores Mariam walks to school with her classmates. In the evenings she is free to study and read.

Mariam wants to be an English teacher and is very grateful for OneVillage support. Her favorite teacher, Mr. Samuel James, is her role model and she hopes one day to have similar English skills. She also admires those who speak English at public gatherings. While in Jokibu, Mariam participated in OneVillage Summer School and Reading Buddies programs. She loved these opportunities because they allowed her to read lots of new books. She recognizes that not all students in Sierra Leone have this opportunity. The scholarship has changed Mariam’s life since now she can concentrate on studying rather than worrying about school fees. Receiving the scholarship has given her courage to work hard, knowing that her efforts will be rewarded (she hopes in the form of a college scholarship!). With education and hard work, Mariam knows she will find a good job so she can take care of her loved ones.

Mariam’s favorite moments have happened at school. For the annual school concert, Mariam played the nurse. Even though it was just for fun, Mariam was proud to play the nurse and help people in need. Another favorite time was when her father gave her a science book, a sign of her parent’s commitment to her education. Mariam was the only student to receive such a gift and she knows not everyone can afford such gifts. She is eager to work hard and assist OneVillage in improving the villages.