St. Paul’s Foundation welcomed dozens of members of our community on 9th May for the Gift-a-Girl Evening. The event sought to highlight the importance of providing opportunities in Education and raising funds for the scholarship programme.
The foundation hosted a dinner and a debate with the participation of special guests: the foundation scholar Ana Claudia Bido, currently in Lower 6th, and congresswoman and former scholarship holder Tabata Amaral. With Deputy Head Zeba Clarke as the master of ceremonies, they shared their personal and academic journeys. They discussed the impact that unique educational opportunities can have on a young person’s life and their family.
Sixth Former Ana Claudia shared the lessons learned from the evening and the experience of interviewing a woman who joined a scholarship programme and had her trajectory transformed – just like her. “Interviewing Tabata Amaral was inspiring; behind the scenes and during the interview, I got to know her better and realised how many opportunities opened up in her life due to a scholarship. My experience as a scholar at St. Paul’s has opened up a world that made me see my biggest dreams as real possibilities”, said Ana.
The debate included questions sent by the audience, among parents, teachers and the nine current foundation scholars. Mrs Zeba Clarke spoke about how the stories shared during the evening impacted the community.
“I have long believed that educating young women is critical to the health, wealth and wellbeing of societies, so it was a real pleasure to meet Tabata. As both an example of what a good education can provide to us as individuals, she is an outstanding role model, and it was amazing to see the admiration and inspiration she clearly generated in our Pauleans.”
The St. Paul’s Foundation Scholarship Programme aims to provide a unique educational opportunity for talented children living in São Paulo whose family income threshold shows they could not otherwise afford an education at St. Paul’s School.