COURTESY OF BEVERLY BERNDT
Exit
of four, is a sixth-grade teacher at
New Hope Academy, a multi-denominational school founded
by Unificationists in Landover
Hills, MD. In 1999, Berndt went
to Gambia for missionary work
through her church, a trip that
spawned more than a decade
of dedication to the youth of
Gambia, providing scholarships,
summer program activities and
fostering lifelong relationships.
“The daily earnestness, sincerity, diligence and commitment of
GREATEST PERSON
OF THE WEEK
especially the youth leadership
has been almost unbelievable,”
Berndt says.
A CALLING
When Berndt was a teenager, she
was moved by the actions of Nobel Peace Prize recipient Albert
Schweitzer, who was dedicated to
providing medical services to the
people of Gabon on the west coast
of Africa. But even more rousing for Berndt were the teachings
of Sung Myung Moon, the leader
of the Unification Church who
passed away on Sept. 3. Berndt
heard his preaching in 1970, and
HUFFINGTON
09.30.12
American
and Gambian
youths work
together on
community
service
projects led
by Berndt.