Some students join an organization because they want to try something new. Others become part of the work and gradually make it a meaningful part of their lives. This month, we are proud to recognize Linta Mannan as our SmartKids Ghana Student Ambassador of the Month for her dedication to our scholars and the effort she continues to put into the Zoom Teaching Program. Linta has contributed in two important ways, she gives her time to teach our scholars on Saturdays, and she continues to fundraise to support the program. Her involvement reflects a genuine willingness to contribute, not just participate.
Making Time To Teach
Every Saturday, Linta joins our Zoom Teaching sessions and spends time with scholars in Ghana. Teaching virtually requires preparation, patience, and the ability to keep scholars engaged even when the session does not go exactly as planned. Linta has continued to take on that responsibility and be part of the learning experience. For the scholars, having a familiar teacher return for another session can also make the virtual classroom feel more welcoming. Each lesson gives Linta another opportunity to share her knowledge, interact with scholars, and learn from the experience herself.
Supporting The Program Beyond The Classroom
Linta’s contribution does not end when the Saturday session is over. She has also been putting effort into fundraising to support the Zoom Teaching Program. As a student, fundraising requires her to reach out to people, explain the purpose behind the program, and encourage others to support educational opportunities for scholars in Ghana. It is not always easy to ask people for donations, and fundraising does not always move as quickly as we hope. Linta has continued working toward her goal and finding ways to encourage support. What makes this especially meaningful is that she is fundraising for a program she is personally involved in. She understands the value of the experience because she is in the virtual classroom herself.
More Than A Title
Being a Student Ambassador is about more than adding an activity to a résumé. It is about finding ways to contribute to the work and taking responsibility for the role you have chosen. Linta has done that through both her teaching and fundraising. She has given her Saturdays to our scholars while also using her time and network to help provide support for the program. These may seem like separate contributions, but together they show a student who is willing to invest in something she believes is worthwhile.
The Impact Of Small Efforts
Impact does not always come from one major accomplishment. Sometimes, it comes from preparing for a Saturday lesson, joining a Zoom session, answering a scholar’s question, sharing a fundraising campaign, or reaching out to one more person who might be willing to help. Those individual efforts become meaningful when they are part of a larger commitment. That is what we appreciate about Linta. She has found different ways to contribute, and she continues to put genuine effort into the work.
Congratulations, Linta. Thank you, for giving your time to our scholars, for being part of our Saturday teaching sessions, and for working to support the program through fundraising. Your contribution is a reminder that service does not have to be complicated. It can simply begin with being willing to give your time, share what you know, and do your part to create opportunities for others. We are grateful to have you as part of the SmartKids Ghana family, and we look forward to seeing where your journey as an ambassador takes you next.
