PLATFORM
EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION:
ERADICATING ILLITERACY ONE BOOK AT A TIME
My Platform is Empowerment Through Education: Eradicating Illiteracy One Book at a Time. I started involving myself in literacy causes in eighth grade, after learning about the dangerously low literacy rate in Africa. After deciding I wanted to do something about it, I began fundraising the necessary books and funds to start libraries in rural Malawi and Botswana, Africa. Transferring to a high school in Northwest Houston as a Junior opened my eyes tremendously to the suffering that takes place in my local community. I currently take the Houston METRO to and from school, which allows me to connect with these individuals on a personal level. It was not until I witnessed this that I realized that my community was in great need of help. As a result, I joined hands with Attack Poverty, an organization that works to end the cycle of generational poverty through a series of programs such as GED training and after-school support.
Attack Poverty was founded in North Richmond, an area deemed "under the poverty line." Residents in the NR area do not have expected resources: no neighborhood grocery store, park area or even library. With Attack Poverty, I was able to initiate a weeklong camp, Girl-Topia, to educate "at-risk" teenage girls in North Richmond about the necessity of a secondary education. The girls heard from college admissions officers from various universities around Texas, and were given the opportunity to engage in activities inspired by various careers. After the camp, I started a library within the North Richmond Neighborhood Resource Center, that is being used today by children and adults. Sadly, this story of poverty and illiteracy is not unique to North Richmond. The more impoverished a community is, the higher the illiteracy rate.
Children who live in poverty stricken areas often find it hard to study, for they have limited access to books and other such resources, which makes education a hopeless goal for many. The way to stop this is by ensuring that individuals have the ability to visit a library. My platform is aimed at helping both, children and adults, gain access to an academic facility. I believe that if every family has the ability to read, the illiteracy rate would be far lower than it is now.
Let's Empower others through Education, by Eradicating Illiteracy ONE BOOK AT A TIME!
Let's Empower others through Education, by Eradicating Illiteracy ONE BOOK AT A TIME!