Wee Care

With my school motto “Serviam”, or “I will serve” as an inspiration, I reflected on our school’s mascot, the Bear, and our despised green plaid uniform. I began sewing tiny plaid skirts matching my uniform and dressed stuffed bears to sell to students, teachers and parents at my school. With the money I would raise, I planned to help girls in Afghanistan. From there, he Wee Care Bear was born! The money I raised the first year was enough to build two girls’ schools in Afghanistan through CARE, International. From there my "Wee Care Bear" project and mission grew and the money the following years went not only to funding for those schools, but also to an orphanage in Armenia and to provide diagnostic tools in villages in Africa. Since graduating from my high school, I have spoken at several schools and even taught girls at my high school how to make the bears--it has now become a tradtion! One of my goals since the very beginning is to encourage other students to reach out. Through sharing my story I hope to spread the word and create somewhat of a ripple effect, so that the Wee Care movement is not just one girl's project, but something that students everywhere can take part in.