By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

Last Saturday I had an incredible time at Salt Lake’s annual Africa Festival. I was there staffing a booth about Mali Rising, and helping people share their notes of encouragement with our students. Despite the heat, dozens of people stopped by the booth to share their thoughts of hope and the value of education. Check out some of the amazing messages in the slideshow below.

I so enjoyed talking with all our visitors about their own passion for education and their belief in how it can change the world. I met teachers, photographers, mothers, travelers, kindergartners, and more, and everyone agreed education was the key to a better life. Honestly, despite the hot day and my tired feet, I left re-energized for the work we do.

When our students return to school in the fall, we will share these images with them. This serves one lofty and one practical purpose. First, it lets our students know that people all around the world are rooting for them. On the more practical side, it gives out English teachers a more interesting way to work on vocabulary and reading.

Oh! And we also had a little fun in that everyone who sent a message of encouragement or signed up for our e-newsletter was entered to win a goody-bag. The winner? Kanika, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in The Gambia!