Sierra Leonean high school student needs immediate help to take advantage of State Dept. scholarship

[Peggy]

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

Some of you may remember several years ago, FoSL was contacted by someone with the KL-YES program for assistance in finding housing for the student end selected to attend school in the US with all expenses covered. I'm no expert on this program, and maybe Etta or Amb. Hull can correct me if I am wrong, but this is through the State Dept. and is a full one academic year scholarship for high school students from predominantly Muslim countries. Again, I may be off in my understanding. In that situation I was able to find a most gracious Sierra Leonean who agreed to have him live with his family and that is what happened.

 

In this new case, Nat Kofi Abu-Bonsrah, current PCV in Taiama, (my SL community too!), reached out to us looking for assistance for the current hopeful student who has been selected. Once again, lack of a host family threatens to keep the student from participating. I have copied and pasted information sent by Nat below. Please, if you or anyone you know is willing and able to provide an appropriate place for this student, let either Patty Bruzek, Michael Lee, or me know. This is such a great opportunity for a teen from Salone! 

 

There is no financial input expected of the host family. The scholarship provides them with everything including health insurance.

 

Thank you,

 

Peggy Murrah

 

 

From Nat:

 

*Help Joseph Achieve His Dream! 🌍🎓*

 

Joseph, a bright and ambitious young student from Sierra Leone, has been accepted into the prestigious KL-YES (Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study) program. This program offers high school students from around the world the incredible opportunity to study in the U.S., experience American culture, and share their own culture with their host family and community.

Why Joseph Needs Your Help:Despite being accepted into the program, Joseph is still in need of a host family in the U.S. to welcome him into their home for the school year. Without a host family, Joseph’s participation in this life-changing program is at risk. This is where you can make a difference!

 

Are you interested in becoming Joseph's host family? - By opening your home to Joseph, you’ll be offering him the chance to grow academically and personally while enriching your own family’s life with a new cultural perspective.

 

What is involved:
Provide a safe and welcoming home: Offer a comfortable room and meals.

Support his academic journey: Help him with homework or school activities.

Share your culture and experiences: Introduce him to American life and traditions.

Benefits of hosting:
Cultural exchange: Learn about Sierra Leonean culture and make a lasting connection.

Personal fulfillment: Contribute to a young person's education and growth.

Community impact: Be part of a global initiative promoting peace and understanding.

 

How You Can Help*l
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Joseph’s host family, please fill out the form at with this link-      
https://www.yesprograms.org/host-family

Questions?
For more information about the KL-YES program and what it means to be a host family, you can visit the official program page 
https://www.yesprograms.org/

 or, the organization responsible for Joseph’s placement 
https://www.exploretheworld.org/ 

ACES – American Cultural Exchange Service
One Lake Bellevue Drive, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA 98005, 
Phone: 1.800.661.2237 (US toll free) +1.425.453.2237 (International)
Email: in...@exploretheworld.org

Let’s work together to ensure Joseph’s dream becomes a reality! Your support can change his life—and yours, too.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

*#KLYESProgram #HostFamily #SierraLeone #UnitedStates #Education #Opportunity*

By- 
Nat Kofi Abu-Bonsrah
PCV, Sierra Leone

Location: Joseph does not need to be placed in a specific area or city, but the host family must live in a community with access to a suitable high school and sufficient resources.

 

School Enrollment: The host family typically assists in enrolling Joseph in a local high school, with the KL-YES program providing support.

 

Activities and Responsibilities: Joseph will be expected to attend school, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in community service.

 

Financial Obligations: The KL-YES program covers major expenses, and the host family is primarily responsible for providing room, board, and a supportive environment. There may be some incidental costs.

 

I believe this information will be helpful in finding a potential host family for Joseph. Please let me know if you have any other questions or require further assistance.