Yendor Productions is working hard to help Kiah L. Edmondson Jr. reach his goal of teaching in Ghana. In his letter below Kiah speaks about how and why this mission came about. We are hoping to help Kiah cover his transportation fees in order to get to Accra, Ghana so that he can teach students of the AngloGold school district.
To whomever this may concern:
I am writing to inform you of my position as a Voluntary Teaching Assistant beginning in August, 2012 in Obuasi, Ghana. I was inspired to further explore and offer my skills and time to Ghana after my abroad experience. I studied China’s partnership with Africa using Ghana as a specific case study. Having a great friend, mentor and companion in Mr. Eric Ofori-Ansah and Professor Obiri Addo was vital in my decision. Mr. Ofori-Ansah is a resident of Ghana as well as a Headmaster of an elementary school in Obuasi and Professor Addo is a Professor at Drew University. They served as advisors throughout the Ghana DIS (Drew International Seminar). I plan to teach social studies at a secondary education level for the AngloGold Ashanti school district.
I graduated May 2012 from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey with a major in Behavioral Science and minor in Pan African Studies. As the eldest of nine children and a resident of Camden, New Jersey, my journey has been extremely difficult, but because of my own discretion, it has been rewarding. My dedication and perseverance have allowed me to thoroughly pursue the things in life that I am passionate about and obtain them no matter how challenging they may seem. As a former member and president of the Camden City Youth Services Commission Youth Counsel, I became passionate about service, civic engagement and educating youth, which are some of my greatest values.
Service has been a part of my life since the age of twelve. My service experiences with the American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, the Camden City Youth Services commission, Habitat for Humanity (in support of families displaced by hurricane Katrina) , and the United Way (assisting ‘at risk’ urban youth) have supplied a rich foundation in my life for volunteerism. As a result of having service integrated into my upbringing, I became passionate about volunteering and making a concerted effort to help improve the lives of others. Throughout life, I have always been willing to go out of my comfort zone to donate my time, skills and presence to those in need.
As a result, I have applied to be a Voluntary Teaching Assistant for the AngloGold Ashanti School District under the direction of Headmaster, Owusu Gyambrah. I plan to fly out of the US by August 2012 and return August 2013. I will be staying in Obuasi, Ghana in an Apartment. I have considered my options in life based on the opportunities Drew University gave me these past four years. I have realized that my three-week stay in Ghana last year as part of my global studies have been key to my personal and intellectual growth, and have decided to offer something tangible in return to the amazing experience in Ghana.
After studying in Ghana, I returned home knowing that I had been greatly influenced by my experience. I approached the Ghanaian culture with an open-mind and embraced everything it had to offer. In return, I received a life changing reward that will forever be a part of who I am, which is a great sense of humanity and what it means to be a humanitarian. As I reflected on my experience, two very potent questions emerged. I asked myself, “What is your next move? What do you plan on doing with your life to improve the lives of others?”
I plan to go to graduate school or the Peace Corps after a year. This year in Ghana would be an interim period for my own self-discovery and reflection. As a Behavioral Science (Major) and Pan-African Studies (Minor) I intend to apply my intellectual skills to impart cross-cultural perspectives to students. I am extremely grateful of the opportunities I have received in life and I can now say with confidence that I am ready to pay it forward, not only in the United States, but around the world.
The AngloGold Ashanti School District has decided to cover the cost of in-country accommodations (Room and Board). I, however, will incur cost of transportation to and from Accra, Ghana. I am seeking funding to make this amazing opportunity possible for myself and more importantly, for the students of the AngloGold school district.
Thanks and Regards,
Kiah L. Edmondson Jr.
Follow this link to Donate to Yendor Productions to help fund Kiah’s mission