This blog was written is 2017 as a reflection of the years of service given to the Shashamane Sunrise Foundation. The foundation serves Developing Countries in the Caribbean and Africa by providing education materials to schools in economically disadvantaged areas.

1. Leneka Rhoden is a second year undergraduate pursuing a BSc in Experimental Biology.
@LenekaRhoden
My Year in Review
Leneka Rhoden
Miss Humanity Jamaica 2017 and Youth Ambassador of Shashamane Sunrise.
July 8, 2017
When Dr. Rene Williamson, the Executive Chairman of Shashamane Sunrise, reached out about joining the
foundation, I was ecstatic. What stood out to me about the foundation is that it has developed its own model
school concept, and I found that to be very interesting and unique to improving the learning outcomes of students.
Being appointed the first Youth Ambassador of the foundation was a tremendous achievement. I've been given the
opportunity to represent the foundation at momentous occasions, such as the National Baptist Basic School
Graduation, where I had the marvelous opportunity to give the commencement speech.
On my first school visit in June 2016 at the Windsor Forrest Primary School, I was introduced to a young lady who
attends Titchfield high school, and she was my first assigned mentee. She has great aspirations of becoming a
world renowned journalist, and she shared with me how Shashamane impacted her life. Her story serves as a living
testimony of the work of Shashamane Sunrise.
There are many foundations that start off great, but only few manage to sustain the energy and maintain good
relationships like Shashamane Sunrise. Shashamane continues to play an integral role in the lives of the schools,
and more importantly, the students they serve. Although the main focus of the foundation is to help students in
developing countries improve their educational gain by providing schools with physical and mentorship resources,
I have seen where Shashamane's volunteers' lives change, and they grow and evolve into an amazing, selfless
being.
Shashamane Sunrise has definitely left their mark on the globe. The work that we do in Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad,
and Africa will continue to touch the lives of many and change the trajectory of the lives of children. Shashamane
Sunrise has proven that a pencil can go a long way.