Being a Mentor

Eleonore Marchand
Journalist

I travelled to Kenya in the summer of 2005 and volunteered to teach at a local elementary school in a rural area, two hours north of Nairobi.

Every single day during that month, young children would arrive at school barefoot, having walked for miles and miles. Every single day these children were hungry. But somehow, every day they sang, and every day they laughed.

I remember telling myself, whatever happens, when I’m back to the craziness of New York, I cannot forget these beautiful children.

I knew, however, that it would be hard to help them once back home. If I were to send money to the school, would it get there? Or would it be intercepted? And if it did make its way there, how would it be used?

These are the sad questions that keep many people from helping others abroad.

Months later, Linda, a dear family friend, told me about the GGBC program, and how it worked. She told me about the girls of St Martins and asked me whether I wanted to become a “Mentor”. She explained that this was a great commitment: it was about building an ongoing relationship with a young girl in Kenya, whose parents had died and left her on the streets. It was about giving the best advice and strongest support to someone far away, who needed all the help she could get, and who I clearly could not let down.

In Queen’s very first letter, I was immediately amazed by her hope, motivation, and youthful eagerness. She had so much to share and so many questions to ask. With every letter she opened a window into her world, and re-centered me into mine.

In my letters, I tried to support her as much as I could in order to motivate her and make her feel that with hard work she would get far.

I’ve now been in touch with Queen for close to two years. With these letters and constant updates from The Global Give Back Circle, Queen has become part of my life. I can stay in touch with her and support her as best I can from New York, while knowing that the program has the local infrastructure to support her at home. Queen is currently looking into accounting schools in Kenya with the help of the GGBC.

And now, I just want to hear about her successful future. I want her to tell me all about it. I need to know that there is hope for Queen and the other Kenyan children.

Next: Molly's Experience