Mahwah Teen Accepted to Global Medical Brigade Fundraising for Trip

The following letter to the editor was submitted to the Mahwah Patch by reader Jessie Duke.

Hi,

My name is Jessie Duke and I have grown up in Mahwah my whole life. Last year, I graduated from MHS in the top 10% of my class, and headed off to the University of Southern California.

Here, I am studying film at the #1 film school in the world, trying to figure out how to make my mark and dip my toes into new things to discover new interests.

I was just accepted to go on the USC Global Medical Brigade to Ghana, where I, along with a few other USC students, would travel to South Africa for ten days in May. Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization.

Since 2004, Global Brigades has mobilized thousands of university students and professionals through nine skill-based service programs to improve quality of life in under-resourced communities. This trip would serve and help support medically the people of Ghana.

However, the trip would cost me $2600 to be able to participate, and am trying to find people to help me raise money or sponsor me. I would love to go, but I cannot do that without your help. What makes this even harder is they need an answer from me, yes or no If I can go, by Sunday.

The money would be going to my cost of attendance in total which would be $2400-$2600 depending on plane tickets. The in-country fee of $880 covers food, housing, transportation, and additional in-country fees, including playing for the Global Brigades staff that accompany us and other healthcare professionals that assist us during brigade days. Flight costs will estimate to be between $1520-$1720. Plus a $100 medicine fee that will go to our medicine contributions for the brigade.

Since this is so immediate, a donation page would take too long, but if anyone reading this can contribute or donate at all, please feel free to contact me before Sunday by e-mail to pledge your support, and if I am able to go, I can contact you directly for donation.

Thank you so much for your time,

Jessica Duke
nobodysfool@optonline.net