Babylon teen to be USA Youth Ambassador

Bright and beautiful Babylon High School senior Rebecca McNamara plans to become a doctor. Moving along that career path, she has found that she's particularly interested in Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian project that was awarded the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. One day, while

tuned in to Bono and

U2, which promote humanitarian efforts, Rebecca reflected on how life would be if she had been born in a country on the other side of the world where the fight against Aids needs to be a national priority. "I want to help make changes, which for now would include something like helping to build a school where children sometimes walk an hour in terrible heat, just because they want to be educated."

Through a magazine article she read, McNamara volunteered for HERO, a public awareness campaign with goals that include engaging American communities, young professionals and students in learning about the issues facing children living in HIV/AIDS communities in Africa. This summer, she will be one of 25 Youth Ambassadors for the United Nations' 2007 HERO Campaign working as a champion of change.

At the United Nations, it is believed that education is the key to a child's future. In the case of orphans and vulnerable children, schools play an even greater role than academic learning. They are community resources where children can receive basic care and services that include nutrition, clean water, and guidance. This is what's important to McNamara now, so she has gotten all her shots, and from July 1 to August 1, she will be working alongside fellow ambassadors to establish a HERO school in partnership with USAID (United States Agency for International Development), extending assistance to those trying to escape poverty. The USA youth ambassadors will spend their days helping to build classrooms and will interact with children, teachers and school officials, in addition to introducing intramural programs like art and recreation.

But before McNamara can embark on her new role as a global citizen, feeling not only a strong commitment to the idea of change, but also to the action of change, she needs to raise funds to cover traveling and other expenses. Her family, which supports her desire to make the world a better place, is helping, and some businesses and organizations have helped, too. But she's not near the $5,000 the UN says she needs, so like a budding politician, she's been knocking on doors to introduce herself and talk about her goals. Asked by one woman where this desire came from, McNamara replied that her grandmother was born in China and had lived in England and Panama, which she believes is where the desire to travel comes from, that her grandfather is a doctor of radiology, hence the interest in medicine, and her parents are good and kind people.

At the end of August, McNamara, who ranks third in the Class of 2007 and works part-time at Good Samaritan Hospital, takes her next step towards a medical career. She'll be leaving for Boston College to major in biology. Her guidance counselor, Tracy Lesnick, says that Becca doesn't believe in taking the easy way out of any situation and won't compromise her integrity. She's incredibly self-motivated and secure in her abilities."

For those interested in helping McNamara make the trip to Africa, tax deductible donation checks made out to United Nations Associations can be mailed Miss Rebecca McNamara, 28 Howard St., Babylon, NY 11702.

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