Shannon, 17, USA

Basic need(s):

Education

Project:

Shannon's After-School Reading Exchange (SHARE)

While preparing for a family service trip to Africa, Shannon learned of the "book famine" taking place in East Africa, along with the deeply-rooted gender-bias that prevents many girls from learning how to read. Before her departure, Shannon collected 500 pounds of books and supplies from neighbors. She brought the supplies along on her trip, and with the help of her family's volunteer group, Shannon turned a dilapidated classroom into a library. Shannon's After-School Reading Exchange (SHARE) was soon in full swing. To date, Shannon has spent three summers in Tanzania, running reading programs in the libraries she renovates stocks with books to teach English to the girls there. Stateside, Shannon runs book drives, gives presentations to spread awareness, and promotes youth involvement, with over 800 American students having joined the cause. Her fundraising events have brought in $122,000 for SHARE, (her campaign "Light for Learning" raised $34,000 alone, providing three African schools with electricity) contributing over 23,000 books and thousands of school supplies to four school libraries. Currently, 3,200 African students and 45 teachers utilize the facilities. Thanks to SHARE, many girls are currently passing exams to enter secondary school. Shannon is now implementing a program called “SHARE SCHOLARS” to raise funds so that these young girls can complete their education and become the leaders tomorrow. For more information about Shannon and her work, please visit: visit: http://www.shareinafrica.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/shareinafrica.