Jess Posner, nominee for the DoSomething $100,000 Award -- let's help her win for girls in Kenya! Vote every day at http://www.vh1.com/shows/events/do_something_awards/2010/the-do-something-award!
On July 19th, five young humanitarians will have the chance to win Do Something’s $100,000 grand prize — and one of them is a She’s the First network member! The five finalists, all 25 and under, will be honored with celebrities who are dedicated to leaving the world better than they found it. The finalists’ projects range from establishing high school theatre programs for individuals with disabilities to launching million-dollar sustainable investment campaigns for their community. One finalist, orphaned by the horrific Rwandan genocide, founded a human rights education program and is now building a community center in Rwanda. Additionally, among the finalists is a “male first!” Wilfredo Perez Jr., is the first high school graduate in his family. Before attending medical school, Perez started a Public Health and Education Program to provide medical training to Haitians.
She’s the First is thrilled to announce that the founder of one of our network’s schools is a Do Something Award finalist! Jessica Posner, 23, founded the Kibera School for Girls and the Shining Hope Community Center. Let’s help her win so she can continue educating girls in Kenya!
While studying abroad in Nairobi, Kenya in 2007, Jessica told her mentor, Kenny Odede, that she wanted to live in the Kibera slum. He told her that she’d never survive without running water or a toilet. She knew she’d prove him wrong and became the first outsider to live in Kibera. Since returning to Kibera in 2008, Jessica’s school and community center have served over 5,700 residents. The Shining Hope Community Center includes the first and only free health clinic in Kibera, The Women’s Microfinance Empowerment Workshop, a library, and youth center.
Jessica was moved to build a school after seeing a five-year-old girl rummaging through trash in Kibera. When Jessica asked why she wasn’t in school, the little girl responded, “school is a dream and dreams don’t come true.” By voting for Jessica at http://www.dosomething.org/programs/awards, you can help ensure that the education no longer remains a hopeless dream for young girls. Empower them to be the first and vote today — and every day till July 19th!
Don’t forget! Last year’s Do Something Award grand prize winner, Maggie Doyne, is also a member of the She’s the First network. Using her $100,000 prize, Maggie’s organization, the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, constructed a free open primary school and community center in Nepal that just opened this month!
