On Sunday, November 2, 2008, as I finished yet another journal filled with hopes, dreams and endless aspirations, I contemplated on giving them up all at once.
Arriving to a helpless point, I realized I’d run out of options. I no longer knew what else there was left to try. I had tried this and that, and that and this. I sought involvement in a few noble organizations, and though I strongly believed in their missions, I withdrew. I never truly felt a sense of fulfillment. I tried to write a book, or two, or four. This time, I refused to buy another ‘three inch D ring binder’ for my wonderful collection of rejection letters. Nothing seemed to work.
Resolving this, I told myself, maybe it was time to let go. I realized that I had been consumed with everything, but nothing. So why was I continuing to drive myself mad for – nothing? But then, how could I let go of my dreams? How? I couldn’t. These dreams were deeply embedded in my DNA. Yet again, how could I help anyone when I was about to break one record, and one record alone, “Guinness World Book of Rejections?” How? What? Where to now?
I contemplated how all my life I dreamt of helping others. Moments later, I stood up, grabbed a few of my old journals and shuffled through them. I re-read some of my old dreams, poems about peace, and entries written to God, where time and time again, I wrote that I wanted to use my gifts to benefit others. I stumbled upon an article with a photo of my heroine, Mother Teresa.
Hence, I wrote for one last time. Or so, I thought. This time, I wrote the following, “It is hard to kill a dream. It is unfathomable to let go of something one believes wholeheartedly and pretend to move on.” On the next page I penned, “Where is my dream? What is it? Have I been dreaming the wrong things all along? All I want… all I want… is to use words… books to help others. Am I asking too much? That’s all. Words… books… that is all...” In the end, I concluded my entry with, “Maybe… just maybe a different dream awaits…”
And, that is exactly what happened. As I closed my old journals, finished off yet another one, and rested my pen, at exactly 7:20 a.m. a new dream was born.A new journal was started. A new chapter began.
So, I wrote… wrote… And, wrote…“I am dreaming again… a different dream…
I am dreaming of a non-profit organization… one… one… one… where I’d organize buildings of schools. I would call this organization… my school… one school… something with one… it has something to do with a school… Yes, I will build schools around the world. I will build them in rural areas… places where children wouldn’t have to travel far in foot… in hot… or cold… Yeah! I’d build these schools with books… yes books… my books… our books… I will sell them online… raise the proceeds… just as I sold the textbooks on Amazon a few weeks ago… Then, I will plead citizens to donate books, which I will also list online and profits will be used to build these schools. Yes! That is exactly what I will do! One book, to one child, to one school, at a time!”
Next, I gathered a few of my friends to announce my vision. After giving one of the wildest speeches, I received a room full of silent stares. I assumed two things. One, I had lost my mind. And two, they agreed. When I admitted that my madness was for a good cause, they broke in laughter. There, I realized that I had their full support. Hence, My One School Inc. was well on its way.
So, here I am, humbled before you, as book donations stack up, sales increase, and projects emerge from all directions; I promise to give all I have, my talents, gifts, and time. I pledge to give you, me. Still, I need your help. And, I plead you to join me in this journey.
Together, let’s make use of those stacked books we never read, those we did, and never will again. Let’s use words to promote the very words. Let’s build a school! Let’s give children what is most important to their wellbeing, hope for a brighter future.
With all my love,
Besa Kosova
Founder & Director of Operations
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