East Dallas Times

Community Contribution

While many students spent their summer relaxing by the pool, playing video games, or simply complaining of boredom, Lakehill Preparatory School sixth-grader Charlie Pippen set off to Namibia, a country in southern Africa, to help change the world.

Pippen and his family volunteered at two schools they helped establish outside Rundu in northern Namibia, an area historically plagued by civil unrest. The villages are gradually becoming more stable, and an increasing number of children are attending these schools.

The government, however, simply provides the building for the school and nothing else: no textbooks, no teacher’s salaries, no lunchroom or meals.

In May, Pippen learned that the schools were in great need of supplies, including early reader and easy reading books in English, composition notebooks, pens, pencils, soccer balls, and, of course, money. He wanted to bring a large donation of supplies to these school children and campaigned tirelessly for donations from family and friends.

His efforts paid off, and in July he was able to present 11 boxes of donated books and supplies to more than 500 students in grades two-eight who attend the schools. Pippen was also able to present the $1,200 donated by his sixth-grade class and other Lakehill families.

Pippen said that the students in the village make many sacrifices to attend school, and that he was amazed by the children’s enthusiasm to learn, despite the harsh circumstances. While in Namibia, he enjoyed attending math, science, and health classes, and reading books to the kindergarten children who are learning English.

Another favorite activity was organizing after-school soccer games for the students.

Pippen and his family worked in the large student garden, helping with the watering and weeding. The students sell the produce from the garden to help fund items for the school.

The Pippens also helped distribute the corn porridge that was prepared by a group of mothers each day at lunch. For many of the students, this was their only guaranteed meal of the day.

The money Pippen raised will be used to pay the annual school fee for children who cannot afford it, to assist the many orphaned children who are caring for younger siblings, and to provide scholarships for dedicated students who wish to continue their education.

For more information on the schools and the community, please visit http://nkwazi-communitytrails.com/

Thanks to Gigi Ekstrom, director of marketing at Lakehill, for the words and pictures.

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