I’ve always liked spelling bees. I was the champion of my class from second grade through seventh grade, and I still remember losing in first and eighth grades.

I admire the kids who get to the finals of the U.S. national spelling bee.

Spelling isn’t as hip as it once was, what with texting leading to all sorts of weird and alpha-numeric renderings (I h8 U), but I still like the old stuff. Pretty much required for journalists.

And a former colleague, Suzie Ahn, who is now with the Peace Corps in the African nation of Benin, is helping to organize a spelling bee for English-speakers there.

Here is the note she sent:

Hi, guys:

This is just a little note to let you know that the National Spelling Bee project that my fellow Peace Corps volunteer Krissy is organizing still needs to raise about $1,000. The bee will be held at the end of June, so that’s not a lot of time.

What happens if the money isn’t raised? We don’t get any of it, and the kids (who already have been chosen as local winners after local bees were held) won’t get to go to the national bee as promised. Sad, huh?

So chip in a little – or better yet, get your friends and family and neighbors and churchgoers to do the same. A little can go a long way if lots of people help.

Here’s the official link: https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=680-203

Thanks!

Suzie

Thanks for passing this along, Suzie.

I sent over $50 from Abu Dhabi today, and if anyone else feels as if they can help to a worthy (and exotic) cause, feel free to follow the link.