Newsletters: Volume 9 - Fall 2002
GTL Welcomes Bill Jones
William F. Jones has recently joined the Board of Growth Through Learning. Since 1993 Bill has served as president of Tuthill Energy Systems, formerly known as the Coppus Murray Group. Bill became vice-president of Manufacturing for the Group in 1980 and has been instrumental in the evolution of the Group to its present international position. He brings to the Board a welcome wealth of experience in business and finance, and has already taken over the task of treasurer for GTL.
Developments at GTL
On a related topic President Roger Whiting reports that the first annual independent audit of GTL was completed in August. The audit was done by CPA Steven Richer of Millbury, MA who reported that the financial records of GTL "present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Growth Through Learning." This is a major step forward for our organization as it confirms to us and our donors that we are doing our very best to be both accountable for our donations, and to fund as many scholarships as possible.
Through the efforts of Jeanne Lynch, chair of the scholarship committee, and her co-workers, written guidelines have been put in place for further development of the work of GTL. Applicants in the future will be asked to write a brief essay in English telling why they wish to continue their education and why they are applying for scholarship aid. Applicants must have been in the top quarter of their class when they first apply for assistance. And because an ever-growing number of GTL girls who have graduated from secondary school are seeking help to continue their education on the post-secondary level as nurses, teachers or computer experts, Jeanne convinced the policy committee to appoint a separate committee to handle the work entailed in gathering and evaluating applications for aid for post-secondary education. Board member Emily Moore has volunteered to chair the new committee.
Roger Whiting will continue the cross-cultural work on his sixth trip to East Africa in early October. And Sr. Immaculate Nassuuna, our Ugandan coordinator, will accompany Roger on his return trip to the U.S. and will meet with Board members during the annual meeting on October 27th.
 Grace Nantale |
A Future Doctor
A source of real pride for GTL and its contributors is Grace Nantale from Uganda. We had previously supported Grace in secondary school, and are now providing her with a post-secondary scholarship so that she can realize her dream - to become a physician. She has already completed two years of college, and last year earned a 3.516 grade point average with all A's and B's! Grace is a sister of Sr. Immaculate Nassuuna, and we are very proud of both of them.
 Daniel VanHoven Presents His Gift to GTL |
Our Youngest Contributor
During the past summer we received an unusual donation from 8-year old Daniel VanHoven. Daniel had done lawn work for a couple from Pakistan, and when he received his pay he was informed that the Pakistani custom is to contribute one half of a first paycheck to a charity of choice. We are honored that Daniel selected Growth Through Learning for his generous donation.
 Jeanne Lynch, Sr. Costa & Roger Whiting |
Strengthening the Ties
The last sentence of our mission statement reads "the organization encourages a cross-cultural exchange of information and ideas between countries." In July we received a surprise visit from Sr. Costania Mosha, R.A. who was studying at Assumption College and Clark University in Worcester. A native of Tanzania, she will continue work and study in Philadelphia and in New Mexico before returning to her home country. As it turns out, Sr. Costa is quite familiar with the Sangiti Secondary School in Moshi, TZ where we are now sponsoring 12 girls.
From the President
I well remember a late afternoon and early evening thi past August when the temperature was over 98 degrees, and the humidity was stifling. For sure it was too hot to work, and almost too hot to think... so for a while I did neither.
Then my mind turned to the girls and young women in Africa that we are supporting with educational scholarships. I thought about the fact that despite the heat and humidity I was experiencing, I am advantaged with disproportionate luxury compared to them. They have unbearable weather too. What's more they frequently suffer from lack of adequate food, medical care, housing, electricity, transportation, and opportunity.
Recently I had eye surgery for a cataract. I checked into the hospital at noon and was back home at 4:30 p.m. with a new lens in my left eye, and vastly improved vision. The operation itself took about 30 minutes and was performed under local anesthesia. Was it a simple operation? I don't think so. More likely it was the result of having one of the very best physicians and the most modern technology available in the world today.
How fortunate we are to have the miracles of progress available to us. Perhaps we can - and should - find a way to share those miracles with others. Everything I read about the poorer countries indicates that education is the key to their progress. Knowledge is what creates ability, growth, opportunity, and most importantly - self-esteem. The East African knows this even better that we. They are acutely aware of their unfortunate condition, and their thirst for knowledge never ceases to amaze me.
It was recently reported that because of our shortage of nurses, we are now recruiting trained nurses from South Africa by offering higher pay and a better standard of living. I personally find this practice to be unconscionable on our part. Perhaps we do have a shortage of trained medical personnel. But isn't that relative to our own selfish standards? Do we think that South Africa has a surplus of qualified nurses? What's worse - do we care?
Growth Through Learning has recently added post-secondary scholarships to our program. We are particularly interested in those girls who desire to become teachers or nurses, although we are also supporting courses in computers, and accounting. It is certainly not our expectation that these educated women will come here in search of employment. They need to help their own families and societies.
We are now in our sixth year of offering scholarship aid to the girls and young women of East Africa. That doesn't seem possible. Yet already we have offered hundreds of scholarships, and with your continued help it may soon be thousands. The smiles, letters, and expressions of gratitude make it all worthwhile. My return visits to Africa not only confirm this to be true, but also serve to strengthen my resolve to provide opportunity and hope for the future. Hope...where none existed before. Together we can achieve what is now just a dream - opportunity for a better life. The future of the world depends on it.
A recent CNN article about Mother Teresa stated the following: Her work in Calcutta's slums illustrated something that the high priests of global development often tend to overlook: in order to pull people out of poverty, it is important to first empower them with self-esteem and the hope that change is always possible.
That is exactly what we are trying to do!
 Karoti Girl's Secondary School - Kenya |
Learning & Accepting Responsibility
One of the most interesting things about the cultures and educational systems in East Africa is the acceptance of responsibility. This is particularly true among family members. Those employed often help to support aging parents; and aunts and uncles frequently accept orphaned children into their homes. There always seems to be "room for one more," even though money for food and school fees is usually in short supply.
Another example of learning and accepting responsibility is evident at the Karoti Girls Secondary School near Nairobi Kenya. There, each girl is required to plant and tend a Gravellia shade tree each year. The beauty and serenity added to the school grounds is clearly shown in the picture below. In addition, the girls have learned a lesson of responsibility, and gained the knowledge that they can in fact have some positive control over their own environment.
Last modified: May 11, 2003, 18:25 EDT