I decided to go ahead and enter the Times "Half the Sky" competition with a photo and short write-up about Abigael Wilfred, one of the orphans we support in Olevolos.
The contest asked to "Share your photos that best illustrate the importance of educating girls and empowering women. Where was the photo taken? When? Tell us about what is happening in the photo and how it captures the theme of women's empowerment."
Here is what I wrote about young Abigael, given the 1,000 character limit:
Abigael Wilfred is a typical atypical girl who reaffirms the belief that it is women and girls who are the solution, not the problem. Similar to Kristof and WuDunn, my core belief is that educated, resourceful, and healthy girls are the stimuli to jumpstart the faltering heartbeat of the developing world. Abigael has proven to be not only pulse, but also a catalyst and agent of change.
I first came across the young girl two years ago while conducting home visits in her village to identify at-risk children. At that point in time, she and her three older siblings had just recently become orphans and to say the least, their deficiency needs had not been met: they were malnourished and emotionless. Within three months of enrolling her at Oloirien Valley School, Abigael was at the top of her class. She has become an example for her brothers and sister as well as the other children we support in her community. In this picture, Abigael is (quite joyously) practicing her penmanship.
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