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Students put their STEM skills to the test to help those across the world, learning about science, technology and compassion.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kids at Miwok Middle School in Sacramento built solar notebooks to help fellow students in Nigeria.
Students put their STEM skills to the test to help those across the world, learning about science, technology and compassion.
“I think a lot more people should start helping the kids, and I feel like that way they would have more opportunity.” said student Lucero Reyes.
Kim Eselekhomhen, a teacher and cofounder of nonprofit WaZoBia Arts, is the spearhead of the project.
She and her husband run the nonprofit to “bring West African cultural arts into the classroom.”
They connect students here in California with her husband’s family’s hometown in Nigeria, bringing learning and gifts to students. Most recently, they delivered supplies to 100 students in the village of Ewatto.
“They have one classroom that has desks and no electricity, no plumbing, no resources. It’s a little village about two hours away from Benin City that’s very remote, no markets, most of the kids don’t have electricity, so with this tool kit, this solar notebook, they can have a little portable charger that plugs into a light,” said Eselekhomhen.
Sacramento organizations donated supplies for the project and a professional from SMUD guided the students in building the solar notebooks.
“They were thrown into the process and had to do critical thinking and work on their own,” said Eselekhomhen.
It’s something different than what student’s are used to.
“It was really fun doing it as well, because it was something new, I’ve never done it before,” said Reyes.
Miwok Middle School wasn’t the only school participating, many other Sacramento schools students made pencil pouches and wrote pen pal letters.
“Our main goal is really to empower students, to show them how they can take their learning and use it in a meaningful way, to educate others,” said Eselekhomhen.
Organizers are planning to try and get a well dug at the school in Nigeria to provide running water to the campus and the neighborhood. Fundraising for playground equipment and basic school supplies can be found here.
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