Miranda’s dedication to Moja Tu is nothing short of inspiring. For the past six years, she has been more than just a sponsor; she has also actively served on the marketing committee, playing an integral role in shaping the organization’s mission and goals. Through Moja Tu’s one-on-one sponsorship model, Miranda has built meaningful relationships with her students, learned about their unique stories and struggles, and offered them financial support, mentorship, and guidance. Miranda explains how Moja Tu has impacted her life:
“Education has always been important in my family, and my parents sacrificed a lot to ensure their children all received a quality education. I don’t have children of my own and have found that Moja Tu gives me the perfect opportunity to pass on my family’s educational legacy. Making this financial commitment in the short term will significantly benefit students who would not otherwise have this opportunity. We all benefit globally from having a better-educated population, so this is my way to contribute towards building a stronger global community.
Elijah is the first student I had the honor of sponsoring. I’ve supported him since he started with Moja Tu in 2017. He’s now in his 3rd year of nursing school. Seeing him grow, gain confidence, and succeed academically has been an honor. During Covid, to help support his family, he started a small business of raising chickens. I loved his entrepreneurial spirit (he even presented a business plan to me!), so I was happy to help support his endeavor. Joyce was the second student I sponsored, and I have especially enjoyed watching her come out of her shell. She has a beautiful voice and would sing to me on some of our calls. She graduated last year and, armed with her education, is looking forward to the next chapter of her life. Though I’m no longer officially her sponsor, she and I stay in touch, and I enjoy hearing news about how her life is going. I recently started sponsoring Vincent, who I was happy to hear aspires to be a pilot. I look forward to building a strong relationship with him, as I have with Elijah and Joyce, and supporting him throughout his educational journey.
The opportunity for sponsors to build one-on-one relationships with their students is unique to Moja Tu. These students enrich our lives by sharing their gifts, successes, and struggles. I appreciate the new perspectives my students bring to my life, as understanding their priorities helps me think about mine.
As much as I enjoy the student-sponsor relationship, I also appreciate the opportunities Moja Tu provides so I can be involved with the broader organization. I am a marketing committee member and enjoy brainstorming ideas to help promote the organization. Devising fun ways to showcase the organization and the amazing students/staff is exciting. Being a part of this committee adds to the overall feeling of community that Moja Tu brings to my life. I highly encourage anyone interested in Moja Tu to explore all opportunities available to volunteer and support the organization. If someone isn’t ready to commit to sponsoring a student, there are other ways to donate in the form of time, services, or more general financial support.”
Miranda’s journey with Moja Tu is a testament to the power of education, mentorship, and community. Her story serves as a reminder that each of us can make a difference in the world and that even small actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others.