WILMINGTON — Growing up in a first world country, an education is something that is expected, and often taken for granted. Many around the world are not afforded the opportunity of an education, but, some are aiming to change that.
In comes Tyler Glatt and his group of volunteers from Hoggard High School. These sophomores are working to raise money to send children in Malawi, Africa, to school, providing those children with an opportunity to raise themselves out of poverty.
“As high school students, we’re troubled with the idea that our foreign brothers and sisters lack necessary funds and means for survival, and live without an opportunity to do something greater in life, because to us, everyone deserves an equal chance to make it in this world,” Glatt said. “We strongly feel education is an extremely invaluable tool, and providing children with an education will really make a difference on a global scale.”
Glatt found out about Malawi through his church, St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian, where missionaries have been doing work to support the African countries education efforts.
Glatt now works closely with Malawian Minister Silas Ncozana, who ensures the money raised is distributed to the proper individuals.
‘Support Malawi Education’
“Our focus is on sending these kids to Primary School,” Glatt said. “Seventy-five dollars covers a uniform, as well as a daily meal and supplies for these kids at school.”
The money is primarily going to the Zomba and Chulochosema regions of the country.
That may not seem like much but, according to the team’s website, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The team looks to help educate these children one year at a time, starting with a goal of 20 individuals for the upcoming semester.
Glatt says these children simply do not have the means to go to school, many live in rural areas, and come from poor farming families.
“We’re working to get these kids out of the fields, and help them learn to make something out of their lives,” Glatt said.
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Glatt says the team’s effort was inspired by their English Teacher, Leslie Lucas.
“She told us to find something we’re passionate about, and use that as an outlet to guide us forward,” Glatt said. “Our passion is education, and I truly believe the whole is greater than it’s parts.”
“All five of us are very blessed to be able to go to a school and learn the way we do, a lot of the time we take that for granted,” Glatt said. “We just want more people to be able to experience that same feeling too, and Malawi is a place that really needs help, specifically with their education.”
If you would like to help, the Support Malawi Education team is selling T-shirts and accepting donations through their booster site.
For more information on the program, visit the team’s website at supportmalawiedu.wordpress.com.
