“Your biggest ambition and how you plan to make your vision a reality” The fuel to my fire, is my natural creativity, and being a visual thinker. Looking at spaces and imagining how they would appear in a different form, with additions here or deductions there. Inadvertently I grew up with a very imaginative mind and loved to draw, more so I knew I could be anything I wanted to be if I put my mind to it. Growing up as a bold as a woman, I had no qualms about joining a male dominated industry, the revolution had begun before me in the twentieth century, and I must be part of it, I need to represent! Evidently, my desire to become an architect grew from my creativity, I desired to see my drawings in brick and mortar. This gave me clarity over the years regarding the actual path I want to follow. The setting of my deep desire was based on the level of my understanding at the time, I did not comprehend the impact of my design work then. However, architecture seeks to solve problems but the way we solve them is of paramount importance. I ought to look at a problem from a different perspective that is the client’s and concerned parties’ lens, in addition I should be able to engage the senses and tell a good story through my design drawings. To make my vision a reality is a process that requires my devotion. I have to go to university to complete my Bachelor of Architecture five-year degree course, a journey I have embarked on and appreciating the process. And if I am blessed with this scholarship, it would benefit me with my tuition such that i don't have to worry about finances and focus on my studies, taking me one step closer towards my goal. Since every architect’s journey is unique and nuanced, my conscience has led me towards the path of being a biophilic architect. I must develop my mastery, skills, knowledge such that I live into my higher self at a personal and professional level. As a biophilic architect I seek to connect building occupants more closely to nature for a more productive, and healthy built environment, since people spend ninety percent of their time indoors, it is imperative they have direct experiences with nature. Growing up in the tropics, indoor/outdoor experience was intertwined and seemed commonplace. However, with global climate change issues arising, there are environmental concerns, in addition to people’s health being at stake, therefore people’s lifestyles need to embrace the outdoor natural experience for their wellbeing. As a biophilic architect I will be more intentional with every design project to bring the outdoors in doors such as vegetation, natural lighting and ventilation, waterscapes, and the like. The architectural field is a great platform for women to creatively express themselves professionally. After my education, and eventually when I have my license, I intend to inspire younger generations of girls, most especially in societies where university education is not open to everyone, and even attaining a place in one or their gender is a barrier on its own. Through workshops or some hands-on experience in the architectural field, they will be enlightened that through the architecture and design field they can make a positive contribution towards healthier built environments and transitional spaces, which eventually will culminate to climate change. Plus, to their benefit they will be breaking barriers as women in communities. In essence my vision as a biophilic architect is to contribute positively to people’s lives physiologically and psychologically, both individually and communally. Quality of lives must be improved and for buildings to perform better one design project at a time, furthermore my design work will be of integrity and be respectful to humankind and nature. As I go along in my journey I purpose to encourage and include fellow females, and younger generation of girls to join this creative field or any other to break barriers, great progress has been made so far since the twentieth century by many commendable women I should say. Hence, I will also pass on my baton to the next lady, so that we all win in this race as women. I am fearless in pursuing my vision, so should all the women.

One major challenge you face as a mother, and how this scholarship would positively impact your life, as well as help take care of your needs. One day in November 1999, I lost my father. Little did I know that my motherly instinct would kick in when the world caved in on my younger siblings and I, since then my own wants seemed like a luxury because I had to take care of their necessities and education. Money was a rare commodity on my account, but I had to find it! So, I worked as an Interior Architect, but the money still never seemed to be enough, sometimes i would get fleeced off by clients or contractors or contracts would be hard to come by since there were bigger players in the industry. I was really challenged in that aspect considering the demand was more than supply in our household. Fast forward having my biological children, and then migrating to the USA I had to assume the role of stay-at-home mum, and voila! There I go again with no income. With no finances, my plans of going to university seemed like a farfetched dream. However, I was un phased because being available for my three little bundles the entire day and night was of greater value to me, I could never put a price tag to that! Whereas I lavished all my love on my bundles of joy. I realized that need to lavish some time on me too. By investing in completing my degree and being a great architect in progress I would serve as beacon of hope to other mothers who put their dreams on hold and their situation seems hopeless such that they realize that it is never too late to achieve their dreams. One of my goals in life is to reach out and touch someone else’s life. And through my career I would be able to do that. This scholarship will help me put a few feet forward and lift my head up high towards my dream, it will truly enable me to put an inconsiderable amount of time to study, since I have now gone back to university to pursue my Bachelor of Architecture degree towards licensure which is rather demanding on my time and in tandem, I have to take care of my family. Truly, motherhood has given me the tenacity and zeal to reach for my star, and since we parent by example, and children model what we do, I would have set a positive example for my children to follow suit. This would be the genesis of finding my life’s purpose. If I am blessed with this scholarship, it would be a great steppingstone in that my tuition costs are reduced, and I will study stress free. One day when am at the peak of my mountain, I will look back on my journey, and thank God for Little bundle Mother’s Day scholarship, and that will be one of the flags I would carry to my summit.

I have always heard a passion for Architecture and my long-term goal is to be a great licensed architect that contributes towards green building and in tandem impart positively in the lives of those less fortunate through my work and benefits. However, the cost of earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree in the USA is phenomenal, and to achieve that in the required time one needs to commit to being a full-time student the entire course of the time, leaving hardly any time to earn a living. Since this scholarship talks about the art of giving, am proud to say that I live by that philosophy. I managed to make it to college and attained certificates in Interior design, and for over fifteen years I practiced Interior Architecture and some construction, while on this journey I had the God given opportunity to take on Architectural interns in my practice and helped them horn their creative skills in space planning and concept development, it made me proud that I could give back in that aspect, more so my career enabled me to fund some students education and take care of some needy families. However, in 2017 my husband, young children and I had to leave our home country and settle in America, I had to put my career on hold because of our transitioning through continents, states and cities for a while, our children needed emotional and moral support for their wellbeing. On that note we have now found our footing as a family and I believe it is time for me to pursue my dreams, by going back to university for my bachelor’s degree, and with my success I will be able to reach out my hand to others again. Undoubtedly, if I was blessed with this scholarship, I will be one step closer to achieving my goals.