Alysa
8th Grade

I don't focus on seeing the differences between the kids in Africa and the kids here at Dana. What I do see is a great opportunity to help the people of Kenya and save many lives. And because we are taking that opportunity and spending time to help people in need, makes me want to be part of an experience like this.

People in Kenya don't have the medical benefits/supplies that we do to maintain their health. Being nominated, I have the chance to go to Kenya and help to make a huge difference in a poverty-stricken country and possibly save lives. Every year 450,000 kids die from measles in Africa. The death toll is more than HIV, tuberculosis, or malaria. When I found out how many deaths there were caused by measles, I couldn't believe it. In the United States measles is wiped out, yet in Africa, kids are dying from the disease everyday. Americans don't have to worry about getting sick from measles. In this country we don't have to worry about outbreaks and dying from the disease. In Africa, vaccinations aren't readily available and people are dying from a disease that can be easily prevented with vaccinations. The Red Cross is doing something about it and I want to be a part of it. I don't expect it to be an easy mission but I am more than willing to work in extreme conditions and long hours.

Because I have been nominated for this great opportunity, I will do my best to make a difference and help save lives, and work together with the Red Cross team to better the people's chances at a longer life. I want to go because I want to teach children as much as possible about the American culture while trying to learn as much about their culture and way of life. I want to learn as much about their surroundings as possible. I want to visit every place I can and meet as many children as well.

If I were in a position where my country was in need of help from a lethal disease, I would want to be helped to cure and kill the disease. And because we have helped the people of Kenya, perhaps there will be a day that they can assist us.

If I were to choose any candy bar to inject the vaccine into and give to a child in Kenya, I would choose a Hershey bar. Because like the commercial says, "to put a smile on their face."