Their daughter, Elizabeth, died in a bicycle accident in 2002 while serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in
Zambia. Linda and Gerry Bowers are keeping her memory alive by doing something that would make her very proud: educating underprivileged Zambian girls. The Oregon couple, who are receiving a commendation from the Peace Corps, created a memorial fund for Elizabeth that evolved into the Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund.
So far, 85 women in grades eight through 12, who call themselves Beth's girls, have received Zambia Education Fund scholarships, which pay for everything from school and exam fees to tutoring. When the fund started, only four girls from the village were going to school.
Then and now, the only school in the village is Lumwana West Basic School, which goes up to grade nine. Students who want to go to high school -- grades 10 through 12 -- must travel to the next town over, Mwinilunga. Scholarships help pay their boarding costs.
Since 2004, about 25 women have continued on to high school with the help of the Education Fund. Three have graduated, including Prudence Masanyinga, who has gone on to study sociology at a government institute. [Link]
Getting an education is a prudent thing to do, as Prudence would say.
"The most rewarding part of this project is how the education of the girls in this village will eventually expand to improve families and society in Zambia," said Karen Chittick, secretary of the nonprofit's board of directors. "You're not just giving a girl an education. They will return to the village as role models for other girls." [Link]
They'll be models for the boys, too -- not the kind with great figures, but the kind who can figure things out.
Beyond supporting schooling, the Bowers' fund is paying for the construction of the village's first library, a project initiated by Peace Corps volunteer Bob Wilder. [Link]
The first library! Before you know it, the villagers will be getting together to discuss the latest selection from Oprah's Book Club.
The Bowerses hope to make an even bigger difference as they grow their organization and move into its second phase of development. The goal is to help more women complete high school and assist the qualified ones to go to college.
To do that, however, the Bowerses said they need to raise more money. [Link]
You can donate money here. Any amount is fine. Your figure doesn't have to be great to make you a good model.
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