Care Highway Inspires Students
November 24, 2009
Many students underestimate the amount of poverty that exists on the global scale. Deep inside of the slums of Kibera, in Kenya, children suffer with the loss of parents, shortage of food, lack of money, and no real hope for a proper education. Basic necessities of life that should be entitled to all human beings are not present. Without an education, these children are left with no hope for a brighter future.
With the help of Care Highway, a non-profit charity organization, Neuqua Valley students were able to raise enough money in order to successfully constitute a school building for the children of Kibera, Kenya. The school that was built was later on used as a central location to provide the community of Kibera with free healthcare. “If you involve the community, they’re going to protect it,” says Tom McManamen, social studies department chair and advocate of Care Highway.
One of the first items that these children reflected on was the idea of the functioning bathroom. In all of Kibera, this bathroom was one of the only functioning bathrooms that people could use. Therefore, because of the level of poverty, basic practices of hygiene cannot be ensured, leaving these children prone to many viruses and diseases. Love and support is diminished and children as young as two years old can be seen walking on the streets with a loss of hope and no place to stay.
Thanks to the support of Neuqua Valley, these children were enlightened with the hope of a better day and a stronger future. The school not only served as a place of education, but also served as a local sanctuary. These children can now dream like all other children and have the support of volunteers from Care Highway. Mr. Polanski, a social studies teacher, and Mr. McManamen are offering the students of NeuquaValley a chance to make a difference in Kibera again this year. Anyone, whether it be student or staff, can donate towards this cause. This year, Care Highway will focus on adding to the school and making it a better learning environment for the community of Kibera. The children in the slums of Kibera have nothing left, and making a difference is as easy as donating any leftover change that you may have.
To these children, every penny counts, and together as a school, with the help of Care Highway, Neuqua can reshape the learning environment for the children of Kibera and slowly redirect the community towards the path of hope.
Shamil Shafi, Staff Writer
