Brookwood School

A brief visit to the Rift Valley Children’s Village in 2005 was so inspiring, Emma Shorr ’06 vowed to return before graduating high school.  Her dream came true last summer.
     “I worked extra jobs to save money and then my mom (Brookwood Pre-K teacher Karen Shorr) received a Faculty Grant from the Parents’ Association which made it possible for her to join me.”  
     From preparing meals to assisting in the school, the mother-daughter team spent three and a half weeks volunteering, connecting with and caring for the more than 60 parentless children who live there.
     Active in a variety of service projects since she was a young girl, Emma says her trip to Africa was eye-opening.  “There is so much work to do and so many people need help.  The people there live by a philosophy of welcome. It was place where I felt like I had always belonged. I fell in love the kids and the country, and I am hoping to go back someday soon,” reflects Emma, who plans on continuing her work in community service/social justice when she heads to college in the fall of 2010.
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