Maya Minocha of Manhattan, Kansas, always knew she wanted a career that would help others.
She says she had a blessed childhood "filled with music, dance and laughter," but life wasn't without its challenges. She says she struggled with mental health and body-image issues.
"I think that the challenges that I went through were God's way of showing me what I was meant to do with my life, which is help girls who struggle with body-image issues," she says.
Minocha is studying Apparel Merchandising and Journalism Communications at Iowa State University. She hopes to bring more diversity to media, especially the fashion media.
The World Communion Sunday scholarship recipient says she always felt supported by The United Methodist Church.
"When I was in middle school and didn't have very many friends, I would go to youth group and I would know that there would be people there who cared for me. When I moved towns for school, I didn't know anybody in the entire town, so I decided to attend The United Methodist Church, because I knew that they would welcome me and support me with open arms.
"I also think that The United Methodist Church has a core value in doing all the good you can, for all the people you can. This lesson, taught to me at a young age, was something that has stuck with me."
Her faith, she says, helped determine her career path.
"My faith has influenced every step of my career choice. I think that without my faith, I would use my degree to work for a corporate company. But, my faith has taught me to always help people. That is why I want to use my degree to help others and let those whose voices are silenced be heard."
Minocha, who is involved in the production of three student-run publications at the university and volunteers with the Red Cross, says the World Communion Sunday scholarship allowed her to attend the college of her choice and to study what she loves.
Giving generously on World Communion Sunday makes a difference in the lives of students around the world.
"I think that it is important to support World Communion Sunday because everyone deserves to have limitless dreams. I think the future can sometimes be seen as a dead-end for some people, and by supporting World Communion Sunday, it clears the dead-end and helps everyone to see their future as limitless."
Julie Dwyer, general church content editor, United Methodist Communications
One of six churchwide Special Sundays with offerings of The United Methodist Church, World Communion Sunday calls the church to reach out to all people and model diversity among God's children. The special offering provides World Communion Scholarships, the Ethnic Scholarship Program and the Ethnic In-Service Training Program.
When you give generously on World Communion Sunday, you equip gifted, qualified students from around the globe to become the world changers God created them to be. Give now.
