Hello, my name is Ruby Alfaro I am a parent that had a daughter who went to Washington DC 2006 and Europe 2008. I also was honored to go to Europe with my daughter, Jolene, and the class of 2008. What KEEP means to me is how neat it is to have a foundation that helps young students from a low-income neighborhood go on such trips like this, to me it has help my daughter see that anything is possible to do and never give up on yourself. Now Jolene wants to spend a year or two studying in Amsterdam. I hope she does because I taught her that what ever she wants to do in her life make sure it what she wants not what people or family says. KEEP provided her scholarships that she earned through work at the school café and by meeting academic goals and getting good grades. I worked at the Bronco game for my daughter and myself. We also sold candy bars, sold dance tickets and fund raised other things during the year. Jolene also worked in the summer with Ms. Olson at a horse riding camp and earned money for working. Jolene also was involved in the school play where she earned more creidts for her trip. What could I really say about KEEP is that it really help kids find other things interesting by traveling and studying where they are going and what they are going to see.
As for me I always wanted to go to Europe but never thought I would ever make it there and when Ms. Olson asked me if I would want to go I was excited about it, but now I would have to earn money for my daughter and myself. That was so difficult and I questioned my self can I really do this, and I talked to Ms. Olson about it. I work for Ms. Olson and Ms. Arriaga buy typing things in the computer and copying papers, running errands for them when they can’t do it. I been working since my daughter Jolene was in 6th grade and now I still volunteer (even though I am not paid for it) in the class because I feel if I did not I will miss it dearly. When I first told my family that I was going to send my daughter to Washington DC and to Europe they made rude commits to me about the money and how can I send her when there’s times I couldn’t pay my bills. I have never relied on family to help my husband and I did it buy are self. I also almost gave up my trip because it was getting to hard to raise the money for me and I wanted my daughter to go more than me because it was her trip with her class. But Ms. Olson would not let me because I worked really hard for it and she encourage me to go on so I did and now I am so happy she never gave up on me and other kids who were struggling with the money.
KEEP tries to help the kids as much as they can and they never give up on raising money for all the kids who are interested in learn about the Holocaust and about Anne Frank. It is amazing to hear how the kid talk about what happened in Europe during the Holocaust and some of the kids who went with my daughter, they still want to learn more about the Holocaust and want to go back to Europe. I feel if the foundation is not their lots of kids will have a hard time raising money. The foundation is a big asset to our kids and to our school, we as parents need to encourage other people to help the foundation. We need to spread the word so more kids can go and learn and be interested in are history and to see the world. KEEP foundation provides opportunity for kids to travel and know that it is possible. Being in a low-income neighborhood we need to teach kids that they can do it. With our parents and community, standing behind the foundation that is the only way it will work and go on and help others to reach that goal.
Jolene and Mrs. Alfaro in the Netherlands
