High school students raise money for library in Africa
By KELLY JACKSON
The Wood River Journal ~ Hailey
It's not for an assigned project or extra credit, but it's for the sake of helping those less fortunate, and nothing more.
A group of ninth-graders has successfully raised more than $500-enough money to build a library for orphaned children in Africa.
It all started when Theresa Grant, founder of Make A Difference, paid a visit to her former high school teacher's class at Wood River High School. She told J.C. Nemecek's students how she realized her life's work in helping people.
They listened as she told them many children are orphaned every day as they lose their parents to AIDS and other diseases; how the sight of a brand new pencil unsharpened and unspent is enough to make a child in Africa smile from ear to ear.
More than 50 students in Nemecek's English classes heard enough to motivate them into action. They immediately formulated a plan to help, dividing group efforts into those in charge of advertising and sales to generate money, as well as students who focused on media relations.
To raise money, MAD provided students with jewelry and cards handcrafted by children in Africa.
The nonprofit organization works to help these children become more self-sufficient by raising money to provide them with education, health care and social development. A fourth component is to help them become income generators. Some funds go to providing them with supplies to make jewelry and start other small businesses.
Ashton Lupton, 15, explained how selling jewelry made by African children is part of the MAD mission.
“Instead of just giving them money, they want them to earn their own way,” she said.
In addition to the handmade jewelry and cards, the students are also selling a book, “From a SmileŠFalls a Laugh,” which is a collection of poems written by local author Whit Albright and illustrated by students at Mountain View High School.
Taylor Hayes, 15, said the students have been peddling these items wherever they can, from parent and teacher conferences to their local youth groups at church. One hundred percent of the profit goes to the children in Africa.
The students said they decided they wanted their donations to go toward building a library for an entire African orphanage, which has a $500 price tag.
“It would help them learn and help them help themselves,” Lupton said.
They will continue to raise money throughout the remainder of the school year and encourage others to learn more about MAD and its efforts.
The students have been profoundly changed by this experience.
“Once I turn 16, I want my parents to let me go (to Africa) so I can help,” Hayes said.
Lupton's Girl Scout troop is also looking into making the trip.
Volunteer and vacation opportunities are available through MAD, which works to help children in Zambia, Tanzania and India.. Visit www.makeadifferencenow.org to learn more or to call the Wood River High School at 578-5020 to make a donation to their efforts.
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