Gettysburg College students are engaged learners and “make a difference” both on and off campus through their academic and extracurricular activit...

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I grew up in Agricola, a small village in Guyana notoriously known for high incidence of theft, drug trafficking, prostitution and teenage pregnancy. The social and economical pillars present were so degraded within Agricola that an incessant stigma developed; thus, many secondary school graduates and adults from the village found it difficult to obtain employment. Consequently, a torrent of murders and violent crime ensued and the cycle of poverty continued. However, a group of influential elders of the community decided that they have had enough with of the crime and the resulting socio-economic constraints that had arisen. These inspirational men and women engaged the government and other key stakeholders of the nation to embark on a restoration initiative. Thus, the first non-profit organization within the community: the Agricola Restoration Association (ARA) was the birthed. Several other interest groups also saw the need for a revitalized Agricola, one of such was the African Development and Cultural Association (ACDA).With funding from the Inter- Development Bank (IDB), ACDA executed a comprehensive Leadership and Entrepreneurship program for ten ambitious young people living in Agricola. An extensive one year course focused on empowering, providing skills training and networking marginalized youths.
Such an unprecedented program delivered to us the window to purge the stigma attached to the community. Being very comprehensive and interactive, the solicitors of the program really carefully analyzed every facet of leadership, entrepreneurship and socio-political matrix of our nation. The program also provided networking, where numerous government officials, army officers, and highly successful businessmen came throughout ...

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...tion of teenage pregnancy, crime and violence and more importantly a significance increase in youth employment. They are only a few other sensations out there that is as gratifying as when I witnessed the lives of many young men and women transformed. Though becoming a chemical engineer is a personal feat, it is entirely centered on the merits of improving the lives of others, and had evolved from the success of the YLA and the principles of servant leadership. I truly appreciate this opportunity to express these sentiments so dear to my heart. This truly emphasizes Gettysburg’s commitment to co-circular students, and so positions this institution above many others. I have never been more enthusiastic than I am to attend Gettysburg University; an institution where I can undertake a highly accredited chemical engineering program and can continue making a difference.

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