Elea Abisamra

Elea Abisamra began writing stories and books as a child, writing on blank paper, stapling the pages together, and crafting the book cover. In fifth grade, she learned that she could publish her stories for free through online publishers.

The experience of being a published author at such a young age was deeply empowering to her, and she encouraged all her storyteller friends to do the same. As she learned, many kids did not have the guidance needed to finish and edit their stories or go through the publication process.

When she received her first royalty check for her published work, the idea for Kids Can Write was born. Elea said, “That was when I realized that I wanted all children to have the same opportunity I did.”

In 2022, Elea founded Kids Can Write, a non-profit organization that helps children publish their stories with the support and one-on-one mentorship needed to make their dreams a reality.

She started the organization after coming to Virginia Tech and joining the Innovate Living Learning Community. The community inspired and motivated her, instilling in her the power of “just starting.” Even if she didn’t know how things would turn out, she learned that she must start.

Elea says her friendships from Innovate were integral to helping her create, maintain, and grow Kids Can Write.

The first Kids Can Write program had 30 Virginia Tech students of all majors and served 15 children in the third through fifth grade at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School. Every single child got published.

Since then, Kids Can Write has helped over 200 individuals ranging from the ages of 7 to 94 become published authors, with the help of 200 tutors and four leadership teams who are all students from Virginia Tech.

“Elea’s self-understanding and integrity shine through her vision and drive,” said her nominator. “She also knows that nothing could be done without a team and community of support.”

Elea attributes the success of Kids Can Write to the partnerships with over 20 collaborator institutions that make the work of the organization possible. She is a firm believer in the power of abundance and networking and said that direct involvement is the best way to collaborate.

“There is no pie with limited slices, and no table with limited seats,” she said. “Kids Can Write is so versatile and can be applied virtually everywhere, and everyone who participates benefits, whether it’s the families, mentors, participants, collaborators, or community as a whole.”

Elea is a senior majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience in the College of Science. She has minors in Creative Writing in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and in Entrepreneurship in Pamplin School of Business.

Her future plans include expanding Kids Can Write, pursuing a PhD, and exploring new entrepreneurial ventures.

In all that she does, Elea draws on her belief in herself and her trust in her vision.

She said, “This is not about me, this is about the impact we make and the lives we change. My goals are focused on creating more kindness and understanding in the world, and using my efforts to make a positive impact on others.”

For sharing her deep passion through the power of community, I am proud to present the Aspire! Award for Pursue SELF-UNDERSTANDING and INTEGRITY to Elea-Maria Abisamra.