Students from Top of the World and El Morro elementary schools and Laguna Beach High School are raising money this month to support Oloolaimutia Elementary School in Maasai Mara, Kenya, through the Model United Nations program.
LBHS students and staff have been working to improve the lives of the Maasai villagers of Oloolaimutia since 2012. They have raised funds to provide fourth grade students with 75 new desks and help women of the village sell their handmade jewelry to provide them with a market.
All funds go directly to the school, said teacher and club advisor Jun Shen.
This year, local students hope to collect $15,000 to purchase a wind and solar powered electric generator for the Kenya school. El Morro, Top of the World and LBHS will have donation boxes within their classrooms for the cause until Jan. 29.
Oloolaimutia Elementary is underfunded, overcrowded and lacks basic resources, says a district statement. The 685 students attend a 10-classroom school that has nine teachers, but lacks electricity, transportation for pupils, enough desks and supplies.
“We might not be able to solve all their problems, but if we all work together, we can start helping by providing electricity for their classrooms,” said LBHS senior Rose Niermeijer.
The solar panel is expected to provide five hours of power for 20 classroom lights, 10 laptops and eight dorm lights as well as exterior security lights. The dormitory assists young female students, who, like the boys, travel an average of 15 kilometers a day to attend school, often in unsafe conditions.
For more info: http://www.lbhsmunfoundation.org/generator-project.html.
