As any second semester college senior would attest, one of the most common questions that is confronted multiple times on a daily basis, is “What are you doing after graduation?” I envied those who could simply say “Law School,” “Grad School,” or “Got a job in NYC.” The exchange I had usually went something like this:
-So what are you doing after graduation?
-I’m going to work for a non-profit organization
-Cool, where?
-Micronesia
-Microwhat?
-It’s a series of islands about 500 miles southeast of Guam (*hands would show where Micronesia is by where it lies between Hawaii and Australia*)
-Holy cow, that’s way the heck out there. Where in the world did you get that idea?
If the conversation got this far, I told my story, which had been in progress for four years. My freshman year I met one of my best friends, Alex, who was a senior at the time. He had spent a good chunk of a summer in Micronesia working for MAHI International and I was intrigued by his stories of the welcoming and friendly spirit of the Micronesian people and all the great work MAHI was doing. Shortly after this, I heard about an opportunity for Dickinson students called “Projects for Peace.” Students from a large list of colleges were eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant to perform a “peace project” anywhere in the world for three months. I immediately thought of going to Micronesia and using the money to do a project with MAHI International. After giving some thought of going over a summer break, I decided it would be best to go after graduation as I could stay longer than three months if needed. I was very optimistic that I could receive the grant, as a Dickinson student had won the grant each of the previous five years.
However, everything didn’t go according to plan. To my dismay, this past September I learned that Dickinson students were no longer eligible to apply for the grant (to this day I don’t know why). While I was obviously disappointed, by this point I had been brainstorming different projects for a year and a half with John Schroer, the Executive Director and Founder of MAHI. We had already started making preparations for the current solar panel project and were thinking of other ways I could serve when in Micronesia. I decided that despite the setback I wanted to move forward with the projects and trust God that we would find the money somewhere.
Over the course of my senior year I was able to meet John when he was making a trip to the east coast, and we continued brainstorming while I learned more about Micronesia and the needs there. I applied for a similar grant to “Projects for Peace,” which gave $10,000 to graduating seniors. It was a long shot from the beginning, as there are typically 60-80 applications for this one grant. Despite not receiving the grant, the grant-writing process was extremely helpful, as John and I developed several new ideas such as the installation of laptops with English learning software and creating a documentary detailing all the scholarships available to Pohnpei students.
Since graduation, I have dedicated myself to fundraising efforts and am optimistic I will be able to arrive in Micronesia sometime in September to start the education training project in Pohnpei at the beginning of the school year. I feel extremely blessed and humbled to have this opportunity to serve with MAHI. Over the course of my college career I developed a passion for education and am excited to be able to help the lacking education system in Micronesia. I have also cultivated a passion over the past four years to not work behind a desk. I am thrilled I will have the opportunity to work with my hands in Micronesia, interacting with the people while seeking to create positive and lasting change.
You can learn more about the specific projects, MAHI International, and where Micronesia is geographically without my hand gestures on this site. Also, if you would like to partner with MAHI International on these projects, simply click the “How to Become a Partner” tab. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I am excited to use this blog throughout my time in Micronesia to update everyone on the progress of these projects through my reports, pictures and videos.
Best,
Drew
-So what are you doing after graduation?
-I’m going to work for a non-profit organization
-Cool, where?
-Micronesia
-Microwhat?
-It’s a series of islands about 500 miles southeast of Guam (*hands would show where Micronesia is by where it lies between Hawaii and Australia*)
-Holy cow, that’s way the heck out there. Where in the world did you get that idea?
If the conversation got this far, I told my story, which had been in progress for four years. My freshman year I met one of my best friends, Alex, who was a senior at the time. He had spent a good chunk of a summer in Micronesia working for MAHI International and I was intrigued by his stories of the welcoming and friendly spirit of the Micronesian people and all the great work MAHI was doing. Shortly after this, I heard about an opportunity for Dickinson students called “Projects for Peace.” Students from a large list of colleges were eligible to apply for a $10,000 grant to perform a “peace project” anywhere in the world for three months. I immediately thought of going to Micronesia and using the money to do a project with MAHI International. After giving some thought of going over a summer break, I decided it would be best to go after graduation as I could stay longer than three months if needed. I was very optimistic that I could receive the grant, as a Dickinson student had won the grant each of the previous five years.
However, everything didn’t go according to plan. To my dismay, this past September I learned that Dickinson students were no longer eligible to apply for the grant (to this day I don’t know why). While I was obviously disappointed, by this point I had been brainstorming different projects for a year and a half with John Schroer, the Executive Director and Founder of MAHI. We had already started making preparations for the current solar panel project and were thinking of other ways I could serve when in Micronesia. I decided that despite the setback I wanted to move forward with the projects and trust God that we would find the money somewhere.
Over the course of my senior year I was able to meet John when he was making a trip to the east coast, and we continued brainstorming while I learned more about Micronesia and the needs there. I applied for a similar grant to “Projects for Peace,” which gave $10,000 to graduating seniors. It was a long shot from the beginning, as there are typically 60-80 applications for this one grant. Despite not receiving the grant, the grant-writing process was extremely helpful, as John and I developed several new ideas such as the installation of laptops with English learning software and creating a documentary detailing all the scholarships available to Pohnpei students.
Since graduation, I have dedicated myself to fundraising efforts and am optimistic I will be able to arrive in Micronesia sometime in September to start the education training project in Pohnpei at the beginning of the school year. I feel extremely blessed and humbled to have this opportunity to serve with MAHI. Over the course of my college career I developed a passion for education and am excited to be able to help the lacking education system in Micronesia. I have also cultivated a passion over the past four years to not work behind a desk. I am thrilled I will have the opportunity to work with my hands in Micronesia, interacting with the people while seeking to create positive and lasting change.
You can learn more about the specific projects, MAHI International, and where Micronesia is geographically without my hand gestures on this site. Also, if you would like to partner with MAHI International on these projects, simply click the “How to Become a Partner” tab. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I am excited to use this blog throughout my time in Micronesia to update everyone on the progress of these projects through my reports, pictures and videos.
Best,
Drew
Alex telling a story to some Micronesian children
