Savannah State Update:
- Zyriah Garden, a junior at Savannah State University, earned the prestigious Gilman Scholarship for her Ghana service mission.
- The scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, increases access to international study for students of limited financial means.
- Garden and peers partnered with the Network for Global Missions in Nakpanduri, Northern Ghana, focusing on sustainable development and youth empowerment.
- To fight period poverty, Savannah State University students collected more than 350 handheld sewing machines to empower local young women.
The $2,500 award is currently supporting Garden’s study abroad and service-learning mission in Ghana, West Africa, which began on May 10.
Garden is one of a select group of U.S. students chosen for this highly competitive scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Gilman Scholarship aims to make international study accessible to students of limited financial means, equipping them with global skills that bolster U.S. foreign relations and economic development.
“I am incredibly excited and grateful to have received the Gilman scholarship that made my study abroad trip to Ghana possible,” said Garden. “This opportunity will allow me to grow academically and personally while experiencing a new culture and expanding my global perspective. I look forward to bringing back stories and news insights to share with my community at Savannah State University.”
Garden, alongside five SSU peers and two faculty members, is spending the first two weeks of the month-long trip in Nakpanduri, a city in Northern Ghana. Partnering with the Network for Global Missions, the group is focusing on sustainable development and youth empowerment.
A primary focus for Garden is addressing “period poverty” by supporting local young women. To provide a tangible, sustainable solution, the SSU students collected more than 350 handheld sewing machines to distribute to these young women, empowering them with the tools to address their own needs.
“We are excited for Zyriah,” said Joline Keevy, Director of the International Education Center at Savannah State. “This scholarship is a testament to Zyriah’s commitment to becoming a global leader. We are thankful for the Gilman Scholarship for helping to make international education accessible to all students.”
The SSU delegation will remain in Ghana through June 5, participating in various cultural exchange and educational support programs.
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