WEGO STUDENTS BRING THE WORLD TO AFRICA

The computers are being brought to Angola by RISE International.  Lynn Cole, Executive Director of RISE, is appreciative of the efforts of CHS students.  “We are so grateful for the laptop donation from Community High School.  Our hope is to bring the laptops, allow those involved with the primary schools in Angola to get excited about the possibilities, to encourage them to move the project forward and inspire those that need to take steps within Angola to pursue acquisition of the laptops.  Once in place, the vision would be to see 2 or 3 computers in each RISE school.  These computers are made for the conditions of Angola's rural schools and could wonderfully broaden the world of the students and allow them to learn and be empowered.”

Humanities teacher Barbara Laimins’ freshmen advisory team raised $200.  Laimins explained, “My students realize the importance of having a computer to have access to information which will help citizenship and provide the Angolan students the skills to succeed in their education.”

In the 2005-2006 school year, students from the high school raised over $10,000 to build a school in Sakutopi in partnership with RISE International.  Since that time, Community High School has continued their relationship with RISE International and Angola to send school supplies, recreational and medical resources as a part of the WeGo 2 Africa project spearheaded by the Community Leadership class at the high school. 

Mary Ellen Daneels, instructor of the Community Leadership class that organized the change drive explains, “The WeGo 2 Africa program has become part of the culture of Community High School and has allowed the students to create a habit of the heart in which they realize the difference they can make in both their local and global community.”

Students in the class individually volunteer locally at least 60 hours a semester at various non-profits in the area such as the local P.A.D.S. shelter, after school programs and World Relief.  As a class, they have taken on the global WeGo 2 Africa Project to, in the words of their mission statement, “help rebuild communities in Angola with educational resources to facilitate learning, living and leadership.”

Lauren Hon, a junior in the Community Leadership class explains, “The students in Angola are so limited in their knowledge and connection to the outside world.  We wanted to raise enough money to get them connected to information.  It will be exciting to be able to talk to students in the school we funded in Sakutopi and build a better relationship with them.”

The XO laptops are especially designed for the environmental and technological conditions of third world nations like Angola.  They can be manually powered and can handle high heat, humidity, and dust.   In addition to the laptops being sent to Angola, CHS is sending two more computers to students in other undeveloped countries through the One Laptop Per Child Program.

The Community Leadership class is raising money to send a shipping container full of school supplies, medical supplies, clothes, shoes and recreational equipment later this spring.  For more information about the WeGo 2 Africa Program, contact Mary Ellen Daneels at mdaneels@d94.org or (630)876-6453.