Earlier this month, the Oregon state legislature approved a plan conceived by the Economic Opportunity Institute, and put into action by several Portland State University students, to provide free tuition to students attending public universities or community colleges in the state. The only stipulation is […]
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. has joined with Golden Key International Honour Society to offer Golden Key members a discount on financial planning services. As a special benefit, members can take advantage of a free, no obligation financial review – to learn first-hand how a financial advisor […]
What happens when one of the most densely populated countries in the world becomes a victim of floods and rising water levels? Bangladesh is a delta with an incredibly high density of river systems that are also highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In fact, in 1998, two-thirds of the country was flooded leaving millions homeless, and it is only getting worse. How could a country continue to educate its citizens when the country is prone to flooding four to five months out of the year? Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, a nonprofit organization in Bangladesh, has the answer- they have created “floating schools.”
When the rainy months bring monsoons that inundate the land in Bangladesh, schools are closed and students find themselves confined to their homes. This interferes with the education process, at least until 2002 when the first floating school, or boat school, was introduced. Shidhulai’s founder and executive director, Mohammed Rezwan, grew up in the northwest of Bangladesh, which made him familiar with the intense monsoons that the late summer months bring. When he was growing up, he was one of the lucky few that had a boat, thus allowing him to attend school year-round. His friends were not as lucky. They could not make the trek to school in those months, denying them access to an education. This became the initial idea for Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha. Rezwan says, “I thought, if the children cannot come to school because of floods, then the school should go to them by boat.” Upon his completion of a degree in architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in Dhaka, Rezwan founded the organization in 1998. Four years later, after sifting through the Internet for help, he was able to fund the first boat school, and there are no signs of slowing down. Shidhulai now has twenty boat schools, ten libraries, seven adult centers, and has also received numerous grants, including a $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Golden Key was founded to recognize and encourage academic excellence and understands the importance of education. Bangladesh’s boat schools are a prime example of creatively solving a unique problem so that the population has a chance to get the education they need and desire.
We hope you have enjoyed all the videos in our “I Stand For” series! Golden Key’s mission is to enable members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. Golden Key members stand out with their academic excellence and hard work, stand […]
Could education be more efficient by taking a more informal approach? Scottish education minister, Michael Russell, certainly thought so. When the Scottish Parliament came to be, Russell believed that their schools were not performing as well as they could. He found the subjects in the […]
Golden Key’s Director of Canada, Ian Sankey, will be traveling to Peru through G Adventures.
“Perfect for those looking to experience the region’s archaeological and cultural treasures in a short amount of time, this adventure includes a 4-day trek along the Inca Trail. This is one of the world’s best-known hikes and will reward those willing to break a sweat with a stunning combination of mountainscapes, cloud forests and jungles.”
That is how the G Adventures website describes the Peru trip that, for me, is now less than a week away.
Golden Key has partnered with G Adventures to organize a number of GK group trips around the world. I will soon meet up with 12 Golden Key students and alumni to discover the wonders of Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Golden Key members are traveling from Canada, the U.S. and South Africa. Golden Key members receive a discount on all of G Adventures trips and an even better price for our GK group trips like the one heading to Peru. My wife is a GK alumna from McGill and will also be joining me on the Peruvian adventure ahead.
Are we ready for a 24 mile hike through the mountains? Over the course of the 4 day trek to Machu Picchu, hikers gain and lose 1000 meters several times, all of which is at an altitude of over 3000 meters where oxygen is noticeably thinner. The journey winds through the valleys and hills of the surrounding area, taking you the through the scenic landscape, from high alpine to cloud forests. Can there be any walk anywhere in the world with such a combination of natural beauty, history and sheer mystery and with such an awe-inspiring destination?
In order to prepare ourselves for the trek to Machu Picchu, we have been trying to get in at least one long hike each weekend for the past few months. We have been accompanied by our little hiking buddy, our 10 month old daughter Alyssa. Good training having an 18 pound child on your back while you hike up a mountain. As much as she loves our family hikes, Alyssa will not be heading to Peru with us… the grandparents will be having their own adventure with her back home while we are away.
I look forward to meeting up with the GK members and exploring the wonders of Peru. I’m sure we will have many stories to recount and wonderful memories to share by the end of our 8 day journey. G Adventures trips are led by local guides called CEOs – Chief Experience Officers. Let the incredible experience begin!
If you happen to be heading to hike the Inca Trail any time soon, here are a few sites we found helpful:
http://www.estherandjacob.com/packingformachupicchu/
http://sistersbailey.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/inca-trail-packing-list-tested-and-refined/
http://karenkho.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/25-essential-tips-for-hiking-the-inca-trai/
Hiking shoes… check. Sleeping bag… check. Dozens of other outdoor gear items and miscellaneous stuff… check. We are all set and ready for the trip of a lifetime.
Look for a full account of our journey when I return and have iced my knees for a couple of days.
Cheers,
Ian Sankey
Director, Canada
Golden Key International Honour Society
Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. The Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award supports members’ post-baccalaureate study at accredited universities anywhere in the world. It is our premier […]
The “I Stand For” video series is designed to showcase all the causes and values that Golden Key members stand for as well as highlight conferences and service events. The ninth video in our series is titled “2012 International Summit.” In this video, Summit attendees […]
A new Associate Director has joined our team! It’s Jordan Lyons who will be overseeing US Region 4. Region 4 is comprised of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and the west part of Pennsylvania. Get to know her better with this Q&A.
Where are you from? I was born in Tampa, Florida and have lived all over the east coast. I call my “home” Fort Mill, SC.
Where did you go to college? Clemson (go Tigers!)
What did you study in school/ major in? Communication and Legal Studies
What are some of the things you were involved in, in college? Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Pre Law Society, Women’s Leadership Conference, NSCS
What are your hobbies? I love spending time with my family and friends. I am a huge “crafter” even though I have very little artistic ability.
What is your favorite quote? “What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things.”
What is your favorite sport? College Football
What is your favorite movie, TV show, band/singer, and/or song? My favorite movies are Heart and Souls, Forrest Gump and Mary Poppins. My favorite TV show is Downton Abbey. My favorite singer is Adam Levine and my favorite song is “Imagine” by John Lennon.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet? Julie Andrews or Adam Levine
What is the #1 most played song on your iPod? Call Me Al by Paul Simon
What website or blog to you go to everyday? I love Pinterest. I also love PostSecret- but it is only updated on Sundays.
What excites you the most about working at Golden Key? Working with new students and volunteers across my region!
Fun Fact? Channing Tatum (actor from Step Up, Magic Mike, Dear John) was my babysitter when I was little!
Connect with Jordan on Facebook and Twitter.
This year, Golden Key member Maggie O’Neill was one of 23 Boston College students and alumni to receive the J. William Fulbright Grant. Maggie intends to use the grant to travel to Germany to teach English. Maggie recently graduated magna cum laude, double majoring in German and International Studies. During her tenure at […]
GK SCHOLARSHIPS: Ather Sharif
GK Scholarships: Logan Thornton