Each year Stanley-Boyd families expectantly welcome exchange students into their homes. These young ambassadors are given the opportunity to experience enrichment activities first-hand in our city, state, and country. Starting in March, when the COVID-19 situation came to the forefront the dynamics of the program changed for many exchange students. One such student to experience this very unusual and unprecedented situation is Gulbahar Mammetgurbanova, known to family and friends as Bahar. Bahar hails from Mary, Turkmenistan. Bahar is part of the Aspect Foundation, specifically the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program. This program provides an opportunity for high school students from the countries of the former Soviet Union to experience life in a democratic society in order to promote democratic values in Eurasia. It is a merit-based scholarship program overseen by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and students must apply and be accepted to participate.

Bahar’s projected return date was June 4th. It has since been postponed numerous times starting with July 9th, then July 20th, and now an indeterminate date has been forecasted. This uncertain time has not deterred this young lady from experiencing and taking in what Wisconsin and the Midwest have to offer in the summer months. She has canoed, kayaked, went water-tubbing, fished, and experienced the Boundary Waters area in Minnesota right along with the mosquitoes and summer heat! She has volunteered at the Historical Museum, participates with a local church, and continues to learn more about her surroundings while being safe and following CDC/WHO guidelines.

Throughout her time in Stanley Bahar has gotten to know many different people and one person that has inspired her to give back is Bahar’s host mother’s mom, Barb, who has been heroically battling breast and brain cancer. When Bahar learned that Barb was given a wig at no cost it inspired her to pay-it-forward. Bahar shared that she could have waited and sold her hair for profit in her country but wanted to donate her hair to an organization where there is no cost involved for the individuals receiving the donation. She also wanted to help kids out, kids that are going through tough times.

On July 22nd, with the help of Jane Burzynski at Modern Beauty, Bahar had 12 inches of her hair cut off to be donated to the organization, “Children with Hair Loss” (www.ChildrenWithHairLoss. us). This Michigan-based organization is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss, including cancer treatments, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, burns, etc.

When asked about this experience Bahar said, “I’ve always wanted to donate my hair and now, after personally meeting and watching the people who are bravely fighting the illnesses that caused them to lose their hair, I truly believe that this is one small way that I can personally offer comfort to them. They continue to inspire me through their strength and courage. I also wish to pay back the US citizens for giving me the opportunity to come here, as it has changed me and my life in so many positive ways. After reflecting on this experience, I hope that my hair donation will change someone’s life and give that person happiness and confidence!”

Bahar shows off the hair she had cut.