Hofstra University ASCD Student Chapter has been raising money for the past two years to build a school in the Massai Land in Kenya.  With a lot of help of  fellow undergraduate and graduate ASCD board members, Student Chapter Graduate President Nichole Facchini successfully spearheaded an effort to fundraise and donate $2,300 toward building a school in the Maasai Land in Kenya.

The student chapter presented Chief Joseph Ole Tipnako Koisele of the Maasai tribe with the funds in May 2011. This month, Chief Joseph came back to Hofstra to show the progress of the school that was built with the $2,300.  Chief Joseph explained that where they live has no running water and no forms of transportation. Families walk 17 miles to get to the market, which is the only source of water and electricity. Children as young as ten have to walk six miles to get to school, which can take up to two hours each way.

"It was an extremely enlightening and humbling experience to meet him and hear about the struggles that these families go through on a daily basis," said Nichole Facchini. "Also to see how the basic necessities of life such as water, food, electricity, and strong shelter are things people in this community do not have; things that we as Americans often take [for granted]."

The student chapter members were able to view pictures of the school that they worked so hard to fund.  It is a preschool that houses 40 students.  The donated funds also paid for 20 young women to go to high school.

"It was amazing to see a building made out of stone,which is very expensive and rare to see in Kenya. The chairs are filled with children, and tables filled with paper and pencils. It is amazing to see how we are fighting in [American] schools to get laptops for each child, or iPads, and these children did not even have pencils! It really made me appreciate everything I have," said Facchini.

At the end of the meeting, Hofstra University ASCD Student Chapter presented Chief Joseph with an additional check for $1,500; the photo above shows the chapter and the representatives from Kenya after the check presentation. View more photos of the event on the Hofstra website.

The student chapter is also raising money to help build schools in Liberia.  Last fall, the chapter donated $1,000 to Liberia, and is continuing fundraising efforts to donate more funds this spring.

Many thanks to Hofstra ASCD Student Chapter for their amazing work in helping students in Kenya and Liberia!

Learn more about ASCD Student Chapters