Miami students make a dream reality
2/24/09
Precious Gawanani was teaching in an orphanage in the impoverished African nation of Malawi when Miami University students participating in a summer service project met him.
Today, thanks to those same students he is working toward a master’s in curriculum at Miami, preparing to make even more meaningful contributions to a country that the United Nations ranks as the fourth poorest in the world and where an estimated one million children are orphaned.
“Precious has a special demeanor. He had the total respect of the 134 orphans at Mtendere Village and was in complete command, yet he never raised his voice or even spoke harshly to them,” recalls Ray Terrell, assistant dean of Miami’s School of Education, Health and Society.
The approximately 90 undergraduate students on the Ambassadors for Children (AFC) summer project worked at the orphanage for 10 days, said Terrell, and each day their respect and affection for Gawanani grew.
After learning of his desire to earn a master’s degree, the students decided to make it possible for the 25-year-old to earn a graduate degree.
After all, Gawanani had an excellent command of English, had an undergraduate degree, and was eager to continue his professional development.
So the students pledged to support him financially. And they kept their promise.
Karen Montgomery, visiting assistant professor in teacher education and AFC faculty adviser, said the students raised about $5,000, enough to pay Gawanani's airfare and assist with living arrangements. Meanwhile, Terrell paved the way for an assistantship in the Department of Educational Leadership, which provides Gawanani with tuition and general fees plus a modest stipend for living expenses.
Gawanani started his master’s program in curriculum spring semester. He is adjusting well to the academic challenges as well as to such personal firsts as leaving his homeland for the first time, riding on a plane, and using a cell phone, says Terrell.