P-3374

Winston Ajakaye scholarship

Description

Financing

Documents

Photos

History Logs

Project Description

Country: USA

Location: Homer, AK

Total Budget: $5,000

Areas of Focus: Peacebuilding and conflict prevention, Basic education and literacy

Activity Type: Education: Scholarship

Summary: Scholarship for former exchange student from Nigeria to continue his education at Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer


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).

Project Contact Person

District: 5010

Rotary Club of: Homer-Kachemak Bay

Primary Contact: Lori Evans

Email: lorifevans@gmail.com

Project Status

Completed
This project is "Completed". This means the project has been implemented and the report was accepted by the district leadership. The project will stay listed on this website as a testimony of the achievements of the project partners.

Project listed for the 2020-21 Rotary Year.

Proposed Financing

Existing Contributions Towards This Project

Date

Cash

DDF

Total

Homer-Kachemak Bay (5010)

29-May-20

$2,500

$2,500

$5,000

Total

$2,500

$2,500

$5,000

Project Supporting Documents

Project Photos


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History Log Entries

29-May-20

System Entry

System Entry: Creation of project page.

3-Jun-20

by Brad Gamble

System Entry: Project sent for club signatures.

5-Jun-20

System Entry

System Entry: Project signed by Lori Evans.

5-Jun-20

by Brad Gamble

System Entry: Project approved by the District Approval Committee.

20-Aug-20

by Debra Mason

System Entry: Check for DDF payment issued by Foundation Treasurer.

12-May-21

by Lori Evans

System Entry: Final Report signed by Lori Evans.

12-May-21

by Brad Gamble

System Entry: Final report approved by the District Approval Committee.

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