The program is a collaborative effort of USC student government and the South Carolina Center for Children’s Books and Literacy, an outreach initiative of the School of Library and Information Science. Cocky and members of the USC community have visited elementary schools across South Carolina. The students read to the children, and Cocky helps the children understand the importance of life-long reading.

USC Bucket List: #20. Inspire a child to read with Cocky’s Reading Express.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. How many books have been distributed through Cocky’s Reading Express?

After his great-grandmother’s death, Wilyem Cain lost his way. Her death hit him hard and his attitude changed. “I was devastated,” the USC student said. “I was angry and negative.” And worst of all, he knew his great-grandmother wouldn’t approve.

At the suggestion of a family member, the Winnsboro native got involved in the local Boys and Girls Club, participating in the after-school program. When a seven-year-old asked to be his friend, the USC student soon realized his life had a purpose and that the kids saw him as role model. “If I had a bad attitude,” he said, “the kids had a bad attitude.”

Determined not to make that mistake, Wilyem made a complete turnaround, returning to the values taught to him by his great-grandmother, like kindness, generosity and an open heart. “I wanted to treat them (the children) the same way she treated me,” he said.

As his involvement deepened, Wilyem became a club leader. He served as a junior staff member and a program aid. He shared his passion for cooking and sports with the children and taught them valuable life lessons, such as determination and cooperation.

As a student, Wilyem has remained active in the organization. The political science major volunteers in Columbia-area clubs, helping to develop programs for teens and recruiting other USC students to help out. He was tapped by the United Way to speak during fundraising efforts. And, most importantly, when he has time, Wilyem returns to Winnsboro “just to let them know that I’m looking out for them.”

What’s more, USC’s supportive environment is a good fit Wilyem, a first-generation college student. “I’m really enjoying it here,” he said.

Wilyem has his eyes set on law school and ultimately working for the Boys and Girls Clubs or the United Way. He wants to remain a part of those organizations so he can be there to catch other kids if they fall.

The dust, smell, poverty and, most of all, women and children touched Amy Woodell’s soul. She knew she had to do something — anything — to make life better in Zambia. So she returned to USC and founded Clothed in Hope to provide health education, financial coaching and sewing skills to women in one of Africa’s most depressed countries. When people ask why, she remembers their deep eyes and says, “Once I saw them, I became responsible.”

Amy Woodell – Clothed In Hope

Going to a blighted village in Zambia wasn’t part of Amy Woodell’s original plan.

Neither was returning there the next summer — or moving there after graduation. What began as a summer-long mission trip with Campus Crusade became something far larger: the impetus for a U-turn in Amy’s career plans.

“At first, I just wanted to check it off my bucket list,” she said about her first trip. But the dust, smell, poverty and, most of all, the women and children touched her soul, turning a single act of goodwill into a life’s calling. “It happened the second I stepped off the bus. I knew I wouldn’t remain the same.”

It was a pivotal moment.

The USC retailing major who once aspired to a fashion career in New York City has instead launched Clothed in Hope, a nonprofit organization to help Zambian widows and children to help themselves. The organization provides health education, financial coaching and sewing skills to women in the Ng’ombe compound in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city.

“I believe that hope means much more than financial assistance,” Amy said. “By empowering widows through life-skills training, I want to play a role in renewing their confidence, impacting their culture and inspiring women across the globe.”

“I believe that hope means much more than financial assistance,” Amy said. “By empowering widows through life-skills training, I want to play a role in renewing their confidence, impacting their culture and inspiring women across the globe.”

Her second trip to Ng’ombe loudly affirmed her plans to move there. “It’s incredible that they’ve opened up as much as they have — my biggest fear was that I would go back and these women wouldn’t feel I could help them,” she said.

Spending last summer with the widows in Ng’ombe “was really cool from day one. I felt, this is where I’m supposed to be, this is what I’m supposed to be doing, and this is who I’m supposed to be doing it with, and I couldn’t have asked for more encouraging people to be around.”

Her senior year at USC, Amy concentrated on learning management strategies she’ll need as well as raising funds to pay for sewing machines and a house where some of the Zambian women can live together. In addition to learning a sewing skill, the women will support one another and learn about public health issues, including AIDS and water-borne illnesses.

With the blessing and support of her family and many others, Amy moved to Zambia this summer to do the work she was called to do.

You can follow Amy’s effort at clothedinhope.org.