"Knowledge is power". I read the painted words as we drove past a local library. So true, I thought to myself. In my lifetime, I've heard many phrases and quotes about obtaining knowledge, going to school, being successful and working hard - until your good is better and your better is best! But what happens once you earn your B.S., M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., B.A., and all the other letters in the alphabet? One could say, "well, get a job, duh", another could say, "make money", and I say "give back - share your knowledge - enlighten someone else to enlighten the community, the country, the world.
Alice understood this concept. She stood shyly beside her mother, explaining a very important part of the Yelwoko Women's Development Center: a girl's school, where they learn how to sew, to make jewelry, to make dresses, cloth, handbags, and many other accessories. The one teacher - in charge of about 20 girls - stood proudly beside her students' work. The table stood illuminated with bright cloths, dresses, handbags and jewelry. One could tell that they had worked hard on their items. Who knew when the next time would come for them to sell their items to us, to members of Episcopal Relief & Development, to supporters, to Americans. Her face brightened with every purchase we made as she happily said, thank you so much.
Years earlier, Alice received her education from a university in Ghana. Her studies included a fashion designer program along with business and entrepreneurship. Alice had come back to her community to teach what she had learned: how to run a business, to make a living, and provide for your family and community. She understood the importance of the transferra
l of knowledge. Aside from the skill of making one's goods, Alice also teaches the girls basic writing skills to write their customer's name and order, and also basic math skills to count money.
l of knowledge. Aside from the skill of making one's goods, Alice also teaches the girls basic writing skills to write their customer's name and order, and also basic math skills to count money.
In turn, Alice hopes for her students to manage their own shops in their communities and to also teach other girls what they have learned. Through Alice, one can definitely see a community that has formed a care for one another. It's not always about you...
Written on July 24, 2013