The scholarship will help Winston Ajakaye pay for his tuition, books and living expenses while attending Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchorage. Winston was our exchange student from December 2017 to December 2018. Homer made an indelible impression on Winston, who is from Lagos, Nigeria, a city of about 21 million people. Among the reasons he wanted to return to Homer for his higher education was that he learned he liked "the small-town vibe" of a community where people care for one another. It is in stark contrast to the big city of Lagos, where Winston says it is "every man for himself." On his own, Winston got together the documents he needed to return to Alaska to continue his education. He plans to complete his college basics in Homer, before transferring to UAA to earn his engineering degree. Winston does not have financial support from his family; this summer, he is earning money by doing a variety of odd jobs for Rotarians, but that money will only go so far. Winston has become a wonderful ambassador for Rotary and its programs; his enthusiasm for life is catching. Among the lessons Winston says he has learned from his involvement with Rotary: Be an ambassador from where you are. Always give back to the community - no matter what else may be happening in your life. Go for whatever you want to go for. Winston says he grew three years during his one exchange year and came to realize he was far more independent than he thought he was. He also makes this observation about his many hours of volunteer work during his exchange year: "As I did it, I saw the benefits almost faster than I could imagine." He says being able to attend college in Homer is one of those benefits. Members of the Rotary Club of Homer-Kachemak Bay will continue to mentor Winston - and he also will mentor them. Because Winston is from a place that is so different from Homer, both the Homer community and Winston benefit by sharing their cultures with one another, which is key to building peace and preventing conflict. With Rotary's exchange program uncertain this year, helping to support a former exchange student in his educational goals seems to be a way to continue our program and enjoy a cross-cultural connection. Funds will be used for the 2020-2021 academic year (fall and spring semesters).
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