Oprah and her new school
Monday, January 15, 2007
I just finished reading an article about Oprah Winfrey's new school for girls in South Africa. It looks and sounds like it will be a wonderful place for girls to learn. Of course, the school is fabulous, complete with the latest technology and comforts reflective of life here in the U.S. There are fireplaces and fine china and comfortable beds that Oprah herself tried out. The 150 or so young ladies who're lucky enough to enroll will surely benefit greatly from this opportunity.
However, there was one thing that did hit a nerve when I read about the school. The cost of creating this very elegant boarding school was $40 million. The enrollment is limited to 152 and over 3,500 girls applied. My first thought was, could they have perhaps created a little less lavish environment in order to create opportunity for more girls?
The mega-millions lottery was up over $100 million recently. After taxes, I figure if I was the winner I'd pull in about $50 million. I frequently fantasize about how I'd spend my millions. I have to admit, my dreams aren't totally altruistic, I have already decided who the architect would be for my 2,500 square foot, shingle-style home on the bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan and I would probably buy a new car...although the ones I like aren't too luxurious and fall in the $35,000 range. I love to travel (I believe I may have previously mentioned an insatiable curiosity) and learn about other cultures, so that, of course would be in my game plan and I'd spoil my friends and family.
I would also change careers. I'd become the CEO of my own foundation and spend my days giving away my money. A little less than a year ago I traveled to Kazakhstan to adopt a child. I visited two orphanages while I was there and met and held several children who have forever changed my life. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't matched with a child for adoption, however, each of these children I carry with me in my heart. I wish I had the means to make a difference in their lives. A way to provide for their medical care or to bring them to the U.S. or another country that has the medical capabilities to treat these kids. If I won the lottery, I'd be back there to do something, anything.
I'd also set up a granting program to assist single women and men with the cost of adoption. There are so many children in need and so many great potential parents who never meet because the cost of adoption is so significant. It took me years to save up, and unfortunately it didn't work out. I'm looking at at least three years of scraping and saving to try again.
I'd also set up scholarships to help kids who've dropped out of school get back in. I was a Big Sister in graduate school and my "Little" dropped out of high school with one semester left to go. Ten years later she still struggles, trying to balance two children, work and classes to prepare her for her GED. I'd want to find a way to make it easier for her to succeed.
These are just a few of the things I'd want to do. I'm sure each and every day I'd find something else to support. When you say cucumber, I run like salt and the need is so great.
Of course, my actual financial situation doesn't allow me to do what Oprah did or what I fantasize about doing. So, I do what I can. I give of my time. I try to practice random acts of kindness. I throw my change into the Salvation Army bucket. I donate gently used household items and clothes to Good Will, and I focus on my job here at Quixtar working with our One by One Campaign for Children, Easter Seals and the U.S. Dream Academy.
Every little bit helps.