A noble deed can go a long way in aiding the less fortunate in society. In the case of 12 students from Windsor High school, they raised over Ksh1.6 million to aid a section of the Maasai community design and build clean-burning stoves in order to reduce indoor air pollution.
The noble gesture came after one of the high school teachers, Steve Cline, who toured Kenya in June 2022, was concerned about the impact of carbon monoxide poisoning.
He noted that Maasai women prepared meals over open fire- increasing the chances of inhaling carbon monoxide fumes.
The students raised the funds through the Windsor High International Organisation Club- whose motto is to "make the world a better place."
"Our bigger picture is our community has a chance to help another community. To have the power to give back in the world is what we see power in.” one of the founders of the club, Megan Dodrill, told international publication, Greeley Tribune.
During his visit, Cline alongside seven other students visited a section of the Maasai-based school in both Kenya and Tanzania.
“People were using them,” Cline said of the brick stoves, adding that his group saw women being trained to use and build stoves too.
The teacher became concerned that the use of the open fire would cause harm to the Maasai women and children who were left to cook while the man went hunting.
Cline noted that part of the funds would be used to pay for 200 stoves for various households.
The students-based club managed to raise the funds on two occasions, amounting to Ksh1.6 million. The club is based on students that deal with STEAM; science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Del Bene, the co-founder of the club, also intimated that the project inspired them to take up future philanthropic efforts.
"It was amazing to exceed our goal and help even more. The experience of working with an external organization to raise money, it can motivate students to help do things in the future.”
