Lena Kedar was born on a small Guyana Island, called Orealla, and orphaned at age five. By the time she was seven, she and her two little brothers were admitted to Hope Children’s Home in Guyana, South America.
Lena Kedar graduating from Community College of Philadelphia.
A few weeks ago, she graduated from Community College of Philadelphia and has been accepted into Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business, majoring in accounting with a minor in finance. Her goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant.
One of Chestnut Hill Rotary’s founding members, Rebecca Anwar, has had a profound influence on her life. She provided housing and other support for Lena as well as scores of other international students over the past several years.
Founded in 2001, Hope Children’s Home provides care to abused and neglected children in Guyana from infants to 18 years of age. Some of their 50 children have suffered severe abuse and/or molestation while others are had left alone for days with no one to care for them.
Chestnut Hill Rotary has provided donations of clothing, school supplies, bedding and towels, kitchen and household supplies. The club’s foundation awarded grants to purchase appliances, tables and other furnishings needed for the children.
Rebecca Anwar with students from Hopes Children’s Home.
Ms. Anwar regularly volunteers each year to bring supplementary educational and operational opportunities to the home. She also implemented projects that improved plumbing and sanitation facilities, art and music programs, and training on basic financial literacy and computer training.
She no doubt instilled that same sense of volunteering and giving back to the community in Ms. Kedar who has helped in many Rotary service projects when not studying for school.
Lena Kedar (center) painting The Business Center conference room with Chestnut Hill Rotary volunteers on MLK Day of Service.
The following is her compelling essay which she submitted to the admissions office at Drexel University.
Education has always been important to me. Growing up in Guyana, South America, going to school was seen as a privilege, and most poor people didn't have that privilege. By the time I was five years old, both parents had died and I was left as an orphan in charge of my two younger brothers. We were taken to an orphanage to live until I was old enough to get a job and care for my brothers.
During that time, I went to various village schools and also “training camps”. A few volunteers from the States would visit the orphanage from time to time. One of those volunteers was from the Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia PA.
Through that relationship, I was given the opportunity to come to the States and attend the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). I hoped to get an Associate Degree and then go back home. But after attending CCP and experiencing education in this country, I want to continue my education. This is the reason why I want to attend Drexel University to pursue an undergraduate degree in Business-Accounting and finance.
“To maintain order and control, students were often disciplined in front of an assembly. This could be getting lashes with a bamboo stick or pulling their ears, or even standing for long periods in the hot sun just because someone got an answer wrong in class. ”
Growing up in a country where part of the educational curriculum was learning how to survive in overcrowded classes, insufficient facilities, and poor resources. This was public school education in Guyana. The teachers were often absent from classes, and when in school, the teachers often gave little instructions and were most likely not qualified to teach.
To maintain order and control, students were often disciplined in front of an assembly. This could be getting lashes with a bamboo stick or pulling their ears, or even standing for long periods in the hot sun just because someone got an answer wrong in class. The teacher ruled the classroom with little limits and even less interest. And if a teacher would write something on the chalkboard, then that's what we would write in our notebook because the teacher was “all-knowing on a subject”, and that was it.
Most students, especially female students, didn't stay in school for long because they were responsible for caring for their households, which meant cooking and washing clothes by hand. But I was determined and knew if I studied hard, I could survive and make something of myself. Perhaps I could get a job in a small office. That was the extent of my dream of a better life, and at the time, it seemed like a very big dream.
Lena Kedar (3rd from right) volunteering to pack food bags for Prevention Point on MLK Day of Service at Rebecca Anwar’s home with fellow Chestnut Hill Rotarians.
Through the Rotary International Volunteer, I had known at the orphanage, I was suddenly given an opportunity to come to America to study. I was 24 years old and certainly not a traditional student. The first day I entered class at CCP, I was surprised to see so many women students and that everyone was excited to be there and learn something. I quickly realized that I had to adapt to a new way of learning: I had my own textbooks and could highlight words or make notes while the professor was speaking. It was ok to ask questions, and it was ok to get a wrong answer.
I not only had things like my own textbooks, but I also had a laptop computer, a notebook, and pencils. Professors cared about their students and ensured they attended every class. Personally, I felt teachers were there to make sure I would succeed. My favorite classes were Accounting because I realized I liked working with numbers and solving problems with defined rules. Now that I am near completing my Associate’s Degree, I know I want to continue my education at Drexel for a Bachelor’s Degree and to become a Certified Public Accountant.
I have chosen Drexel because it offers the best co-op program allowing me to explore potential career paths, build a professional network and gain real-world experience while attending school.
Because I come from a multicultural country, I want to join your Student Center for Diversity and Inclusion. I feel I can make an immediate impact with students from other countries.
“But utter poverty continues in the villages and interior. There are people I know and will help however I can. I will strive toward my fullest potential in everything I do. That is my dream. ”
I plan to apply for the honors program so that I can take advanced courses, do independent studies, and go on field trips. The honors program will better prepare me for my future in the business world by developing my leadership skills. I want to strive to my fullest potential in everything I do, and this is exactly what the honors program can do for me.
I often reflect on how privileged I am to be in this county. Given my background, I know I can do better than just survive. I want to not only give back to the people in this country, but I want to help those in my own country. Guyana is quickly modernizing with the offshore oil finds and foreign investors. Roads are being built and life is improving for some. But utter poverty continues in the villages and interior. There are people I know and will help however I can. I will strive toward my fullest potential in everything I do. That is my dream. – By Lena Kedar
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