What it means to be on the PoP Advisory Board
Minott Wessinger has been a member of the #PoPFamily since 2011, joining our Advisory Board in 2013. Over the past four years, Minott has had an incredible impact on this organization — and on the lives of children in the developing world — by building two schools in Guatemala, attending our annual gala each year in NYC and supporting PoP’s operational growth.
As an Advisory Board member, Minott has also traveled the world with us. In his words: “I have had the pleasure of visiting PoP sites in Guatemala, Laos and most recently Ghana. Through those trips I’ve been able to witness firsthand the direct impact that PoP has for kids across the globe. And also [witness] the proof that the PoP model is unique and sustainable.”
Most recently, Minott joined other Advisory Board members on a trip to Ghana. This was a unique trip not only because we were able to share PoP’s school building process (and actually have our Advisory Board members participate in making the foundational bricks!), but also because we provided an in-depth look at the programmatic work we’re doing to improve student literacy.
“The commitments and appreciation from the local communities to sustain and build on the foundation that PoP provides is inspiring. There are so many stories that I could tell to illustrate this. But probably the one I will never forget is a moment I experienced in Ghana recently. PoP has been testing e-readers there as part of its ongoing innovation program. I was in a 4th grade classroom watching the kids and teachers engaging and collaborating with the new technology. After a few minutes the teacher announced recess time.
To my amazement, over 30% of the students chose to stay in the classroom continuing to read. As an advisor and donor that moment fulfilled every hope I could have. It demonstrated so clearly the impact that PoP is making and will continue to make. And more personally, it was so gratifying to see the real and important difference that my small contributions actually make to improve literacy and potential for underserved children worldwide.”
Being a PoP Advisory Board member puts people in a unique position to have an enormous impact of the lives of others and have an opportunity to open your own eyes to worlds so immensely different from your own. We’re grateful to amazing advocates like Minott and can’t wait to take him on another #PoPFieldTrip where he can witness the impact he’s creating, thousands of miles from home.
_______________
Check out #PoPFieldTrip on Instagram to follow our adventures in Guatemala, Ghana and Laos.
To learn more about PoP’s work, visit pencilsofpromise.org
