Betsy and I ventured to Eastman today to check in on Kanu
and you will all be glad to hear that he is doing very well. We swung by,
picked him up and headed to the Cochran Campus before the financial aid office
closed. It had been suggested to me by someone who cares about Kanu that it
would be wise to meet with the financial aid office and explain Kanu’s special
situation. This was great advice. We learned a lot from our visit and I believe
his aid advisor learned a little more about Kanu. It was time well spent and he
got some dates and deadlines that he needed to know. They found out he has
support in the form of 2 “moms”, Betsy and me.
I realized Kanu needs an advocate to help him navigate all
the dates, deadlines and fees so he doesn’t miss something. I did not
helicopter parent my kids and I certainly won’t be doing this with him but I
realized today that without someone asking essential questions, he could make
expensive mistakes. Too many assumptions are made on the part of the college
concerning new students. They need a mentor for these kids, especially new
students. Thank you to Bobby King for suggesting that I get involved with the
financial aid office. It will make a difference.
We stopped by his bank and deposited $750 in contributions
from Finders Keepers customers and consignors. Kanu couldn’t believe money was
still coming in. We brought him copies of the Champion article written about
his journey. I hope you all saw it! Betsy made his favorite cookies and brought
some of his favorite foods. We stopped by the grocery store stocked him up on a
few things, including a can opener. Don’t ask how he has been getting by
without one!
Then we headed to the Aviation Campus and met Chad who
co-ordinates and manages the flight instructors. He was both helpful and
encouraging to Kanu as he gave us multiple sites to visit for scholarships.
Chad did a bit of mentoring on the spot, giving Kanu advice on the best way to approach
each segment of flight school and training.
As we were leaving the campus, a guy pulled up beside us and
jumped out of his SUV. He stopped us and asked if he had heard correctly that
Kanu was from Liberia. Kanu got out and spoke with him and it turns out that
this young man was raised in Kenya and Nigeria by his missionary parents. He
offered encouragement and advice on loans, classes, flying and instructors and
it turns out they are in a class together! His name is Jordan and he shared
that one of the main instructors is a Christian and really cares about the
students. He and Kanu exchanged phone numbers. Jordan didn’t have to stop us or
even notice Kanu but he went out of his way to meet him and I am convinced that
was divine.
So we made progress building relationships today: Kathy in
Financial Aid, Chad, the flight instructor coordinator and Jordan, a fellow
student. Mustafa has been invaluable with his knowledge of campus life…and his
car. Kanu is surrounded by support in Eastman and he knows that he has support
at his Finders Keepers home, too. He has been a little homesick but he is
building a life in Eastman, as he should, one relationship at a time.
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