Scholarship Essay Entry – Hilary M.

My Action Plan
I have a lot of stuff. It's everywhere, bursting out of every drawer, cupboard, nook and cranny. I have so much stuff in fact, that I'm hard pressed to find a place to put it all, and end up throwing much of it away. I'm safe. I'm so safe that my family doesn't lock the doors at night, and I have never been afraid in my own home. I'm free. I can say, think or feel whatever I want, and I can be whoever I choose to be. Unfortunately, these things aren't true for everyone. Many people have nothing, not even safety or freedom. This disparity has bothered me since I was small, and for years I have been determined to do something about it.

I am starting my second year at Mount Royal University, and am enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration program, with a major in Human Resources. Already, I have sponsored child a through World Vision, and during the next three years of my education, I plan to fill my co-op work semesters with work at NGO's or non-profit organizations in Calgary. After I have completed my degree, I will take a two year placement with CUSO, and go overseas as an HR professional. There are continually openings for business professionals, to organize work projects, recruit and train volunteers, and in general make sense out of chaos. I have always been rather obsessed with Africa, probably due to the fact that my parents lived in Nigeria for two years. Therefore, any placement in Africa would suit me perfectly. Ultimately, I hope to work for an organization like Oxfam, and work to promote women's rights in other countries. Women's rights are particularly important to me, because I cannot imagine a life where I was not free, and can't stand the idea of women suffering under oppression around the world.

Because I have been given every privilege and opportunity, I feel that I should share my good fortune with others, and use my education to make the world a better place. Many people believe that problems such as hunger, war and oppression are not their responsibility because they are a world away, but I think that a change in attitude is needed. When people are suffering it is the responsibility of every citizen of the world to help in any way possible. I plan to help change these attitudes, and do my part to make what difference I can.