• 2011 High Hopes for the Future Scholarship recipient
• University of California, Davis

The Malawians have so much passion for life that many would assume unattainable looking at their poverty rate and lifestyle. Though they are exposed to diseases, famines and troublesome futures, their hopes and aspirations for life easily allow them to deal and persevere through these problems. And when I give a thought to this I start to look at my malaria in a different way: gratitude. I am grateful so the people in BuildOn who inspire me every day. I am grateful to my time in Malawi, to its people and in particular to my host family who shared their lives, love and even diseases to help me understand and appreciate the simple things and especially who I am, where I come from and where I need to go.

“Neha is a responsible, caring, and intelligent individual who is a joy to teach.”

Teacher, Berkeley High School