Jessica In Shil Lake ’06 planned to send a care package to India. She didn’t expect to become part of it.

Lake originally planned to buy softball equipment to send to the Pardada Pardadi Vocational School for Girls. The school is located in Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest areas of India. This unique school provides a free education, food and even bicycles to its underprivileged students. Plus, it opens a bank account for each girl, into which 30¢ is deposited daily, earning more than $650 by graduation.

There was one hitch in Lake’s plan: Sending a care package to India would mean a teacher would have had to learn the game of softball before being able to teach it.

“I, however, already know how the game is played since I played softball for more than fourteen years,” Lake says. “So I decided to go myself.”

During her five-week trip, she taught softball, English, computer technology, and self-defense techniques.

“Teaching these girls was a real treat and an honor,” Lake says. “The eagerness that these girls have for learning is amazing. I am grateful to the people at Pardada Pardadi Vocational School for giving me such a wonderful opportunity that I will remember for the rest of my life.”

While at McDaniel, the Social Work major (and minor in French, Sociology and Women's Studies) was the president of Multicultural Student Association, Allies, Asian Community Coalition, and the International Club at the same time. She was active in two honor societies and the Korean Karate Club.

Read more about the Pardada Pardadi Vocational School for Girls. http://www.education4change.org/aboutus.htm