I am a retired Elementary School Teacher of 30 years.  20 of those years were spent in the inner-city of Los Angeles.  I attended Cal State University at Long Beach.

Now that I am retired and my daughters are in college, I find myself with time on my hands.  I would like to spend that time doing something worthwhile.  I was speaking to my Cousin, Dana about this and she told me about GENDAP.

I was immediately drawn to GENDAP for many reasons.  First, I have two daughters adopted from China during the one child policy.  Girls became a surplus item in China during those years.  If a Chinese couple could only have one child, they wanted it to be a boy.  The orphanages were filled with beautiful baby girls in need of a home.  I was one of the fortunate ones who was able to bring two of these bright and beautiful girls home.  I gave them a home, and they gave me a family!  Another factor that made GENDAP so appealing to me was their dedication to educating girls.  GENDAP realizes that the one most important factor in improving the lives of girls in developing countries is education.  Because of my teaching background and especially my years in the inner city I have seen first hand how education is the answer to improving the lives of girls.

Beverly gave me the opportunity to write letters of encouragement to girls being sponsored by GENDAP in Uganda.  I had no idea how fulfilling this experience would turn out to be.  I received a picture and short biography for each girl making it possible to personalize these letters.  In addition to that, I was forwarded their report cards making it possible to suggest ways to improve their grades.  Uganda Empowers keeps us updated on the girls and we have all become invested in their welfare.  Thank you to GENDAP for giving me the opportunity to do something worthwhile with my time.