As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the projects that shaped my year and helped me grow the most. One that continues to inspire me is Beads for Life. I started it in order to raise awareness about period poverty. This year brought an unexpected and urgent learning moment. I discovered that the elementary school my mom attended in first grade in her home village in Africa, still serves over 1,200 children but lacks a safe, private toilet for girls. Without prope