Former Bellwood-Antis High School student Misty Meredith has decided to travel to Africa to complete missionary work.
She graduated from Bellwood-Antis High School in 1999 and attended Penn State Altoona for three years and played basketball. She attended Penn State University Park for two years and received a degree in elementary education, with a minor in early childhood education.
While in high school, she played volleyball, basketball and ran track. She is the daughter of John and Pam Meredith of Tipton. Her sisters are Bridgit and Rachel Meredith.
After graduating from college, Misty decided to enroll in the Institute for International Cooperation and Development located in Massachusetts, which is a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers in development and community work projects in Africa and Brazil.
Misty enrolled in February of 2005 and is currently fundraising to travel to Africa in August of 2005. While at IICD, she is in training. She will receive eight to 12 credits towards her masters degree after completing the program.
“I want to work at the orphanage and help the children,” Misty said of the project she will be working on most while in Africa. “I do like working with kids.”
“It’s not religiously-affiliated, but it’s definitely part of my spiritual growth,” she added about her decision to travel to Africa.
As far as fundraising for the project, she said area churches have been very helpful so far. She has spoken to Tipton Baptist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Also, Sue Pierce of Bellwood will be speaking to other area churches on Misty’s behalf to help raise money for the trip. Currently, Misty needs to raise $6,000 to cover the flight, malaria medication, immunizations, living expenses and her personal project of working at the orphanage.
While in Africa, she will work on construction at the orphanages. She will also be teaching English and perhaps teaching English to adults at night. She will teach basic math, reading and writing to the children as well.
“It’s going to be a learning process for me,” she added.
Other subjects she will be addressing while there includes teaching environmental and health classes. She will be working with an AIDS prevention project as well.
“It will be an interesting experience, and I think it will be really fulfilling to see these people who have nothing but who are happy,” she said.
If individuals would like to donate to her project, they may send mail to the Institute for International Cooperation and Development, 1117 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA 01267. Checks should be made payable to IICD. Please write Misty’s name on the memo section of the check.
Another way to send donations to Misty’s fundraising effort is to visit iicd-volunteer.org on the web. Also be sure to include her name on the memo portion of the electronic form.
She can send tax-deductible receipts to people in the mail who make donations. All donations are needed by the first or second week of June.
Individuals may also make donations of school supplies such as crayons, pencils and paper.
Misty would like to thank all the people who gave donations for her tuition to IICD. She also wants to thank the Tipton community, DelGrosso’s for making a sizable donation, the area churches who have helped out, all her close friends and family for their support and J. Perry Haupt.
