Scholarship recipient is now changing lives herself

Johnette Brownell, a recent Early Childhood Studies (BA) graduate, received the Sir Thomas White Scholarship which financially supported her throughout her time at the University.

“It is difficult to put into words how much the Sir Thomas White Scholarship has helped me,” explained Johnette, who is 26 years-old, and received funding which covered three years of tuition fees at the University.

“The scholarship removed the worry about the financial burden of studying while at university. I am certain this scholarship helped me to pursue my dream of helping young children in underdeveloped countries gain adequate education, as I established my ‘Love Liberia Project’, alongside my studies.

Johnette grasped all opportunities that the University had to offer, and took an Erasmus+ semester at University College Absalon in Denmark. It was during this semester abroad, working with children in Denmark, that she had the idea for the ‘Love Liberia Project’.

The ‘Love Liberia Project’ raises money to fill rucksacks with pens, books, toys and toiletries to present to school children in her home country of Liberia. Johnette’s ultimate aim is to create a full charity that will work to fund improving the quality and access to education across Liberia and other African countries and, in time, provide teacher training programs and scholarships.

Schools in Liberia lack furniture and basic learning equipment such as stationery, books and computers. Unsurprisingly, few children are in school with many having to abandon their education to work and support their families.

The project is now hoping to raise £5,000, by the end of 2018, to buy land in Liberia on which Johnette hopes to build a free school.  You can donate to Johnette’s campaign online and see her Facebook page for updates.