Board member Catie Corbin talks about why she got involved:

photo credit: Catie Corbin

In 2007, I took my first of what would become many trips to East Africa. I traveled to Uganda to work with young families and school children who were displaced from their homes and living in camps. It did not take long for me to fall in love with Uganda – with the colors, with the songs, with the dance, and with the smiles of the children. The Ugandans I met were very loving and quickly welcomed me into their country and into their villages. I visited many schools all around Lira, where the Over the Moon project is based. The young girls who I met in school were so full of life and had such high expectations for themselves. They worked hard in school, on top of caring for younger siblings and doing many chores for the benefit of their family.

It is hard to imagine that some of these vivacious girls might not return to school when they start menstruating. They may start by missing a few days, but then they might miss a few weeks. Their confidence begins to fall and so will their learning.

For 10 years now, I have worked in education in developing countries around the world. I believe not only that education can lead to better opportunities and social and financial stability for individuals and families, but also that learning makes people genuinely happy. Without learning, people lose hope. If these special girls drop out of school, how will their vision of their futures change? How will their dreams change? When these girls are empowered to make the choice to stay in school, and when the barriers of embarrassment are broken down – there is no telling what these wonderful girls will do.

Catie with students at a rural school in Uganda

In this globalized world, it is important for each of us to do our part in making sure each and every person has the opportunity to become the best version of themselves. That is why I support Over the Moon. Please help in giving girls that chance.