Pattie Lee Becker to donate art for Tues., Oct. 27th Beats for Books fundraiser and more news!

Less than two weeks left until the Girls Education International Annual Beats for Books Fundraiser, sponsored by The North Face, The Spot Bouldering Gym, and Oskar Blues!

Pattie Lee Becker just offered to donate a piece of artwork for the Girls Ed fundraiser! Thanks Pattie Lee. Check out her cool stuff at her site.

Ammon McNeeley, big wall climber, has also just agreed to auction himself off for a day of climbing in Yosemite. But because we have so many amazing people to auction off that we may save him for our California Beats for Books event. We'll let you know early next week. Thanks Ammon! Visit Ammon's website by clicking here.

Visit the Girls Ed website early next week to see complete bios of all the athletes to be auctioned off, plus photos and descriptions of all the silent auction items, from artwork to outdoor equipment.

News on Girls Ed, looking for office space, and more!

There is a lot of cool stuff happening with Girls Education International right now. We have just had two computers and a printer donated, and we found some very reasonable office space that we can have if we can come up with between $810-$900 for the next six months. We sent out our first comprehensive enewsletter last month, we finished up a full year of our Liberia Scholarship Program and await our girls' grades, and we completely renovated our website. Check it out: www.GirlsEd.org.

Heidi and I have both committed to working hard on Girls Ed. We were inspired by our recently deceased friend, Jonny Copp, who pursued his passions and lived his dreams. Though always motivated, we both feel an a renewed sense of dedication to our cause. My feeling is, why waste my time doing other things when what I really want to do is spend the rest of my life educating as many girls as possible around the globe.

Our renewed excitement is manifesting in various ways. Heidi is focusing on fundraising efforts, such as developing our signature events and speaking engagements, while I continue to build the infrastructure of the organization and develop an effective and efficient board of directors. We have two new members and are talking with two other potential members over the next few weeks!. Additionally, we have a number of valuable professionals advising us on everything from our business plan to mission statements. This is the most exciting time I've ever experienced in regards to Girls Education International.

We are also focusing on building a relationship with a nonprofit in Pakistan so that we can start a program over there this summer. We are close. I can feel it. Heidi is spearheading the effort. Wish us luck! And, if you know someone who is as passionate about our cause as we are, please connect them to us! Thanks so much.

-Lizzy Scully

Executive Director

Emily Sherman-Davis' second report on Liberia

This is Emily Sherman Davis’ second report

I made my first trip to Kakata, Margibi County on August 6, 2008, and returned to Monrovia on the evening of that same day . I also traveled to Bong County on August 14, 2008, where I spent two days. The purpose of both trips was to pay the fees of beneficiaries of the GEI/CGS Girls’ Scholarship.

We received the amount of US$1500.00 from GEI to pay the fees for the students who are on the scholarship. The prevailing rate is 60 LD to 1 US$ bring the total amount to LD 90,000.00 after the exchange was done.

I was not able to take pictures because the students are yet to start school in September. The month of August is strictly for registration and admission. We intend to take individual pictures of the students at their schools and in their uniforms when we visit during our first assessment.

We want to thank the GEI for the contributions it is making towards ensuring that girls can get education in Liberia

Very important Observation

During our calculations I observed that we had earlier told the GEI that the beneficiaries were only 42. This information was posted on the GEI blog. However the report sent for the selection had 47 (that is if you count the number against the selected schools). Unfortunately, neither institutions made that observation.

I am pleased to inform you that the beneficiaries are 47 as stated in the financial reports for payment:

St. Martins (Bong County) 10 students
Methodist (Bong County) 11 students
Dekegar ( Margibi County) 11 students
E. J. Yancy (Margibi County) 10 students
St. Christopher (Margibi County) 5 students

Total Beneficiaries 47 students

I think it is very important to make this clarification.

Sincerely yours
Emily Sherman-Davi
Project Coordinator – GEI/CGS Scholarship Fund
Program Director - CGS