To learn more about Achieve in Africa, visit
www.achieveinafrica.org
To learn more about Achieve in Africa, visit
www.achieveinafrica.org
While in rural Tanzania two summers ago, Boston University senior Brendan Callahan saw children sharing scarce books, pencils and paper inside classrooms so crowded many were forced to stand.
But there was something else much more tangible for him.
“I saw a lot of children who had such a thirst for knowledge,” said Callahan, who teamed with BU senior Alyssa Snow on an ambitious fundraising effort.
The pair’s new non-profit, Achieve in Africa, hopes to raise $30,000 by June to rebuild a decrepit, unusable classroom in Olasiti, a village that lies in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Every cent goes to the mission.
More than 1,900 students share 14 functional classrooms and the cost of upkeep falls on the community, while the annual income for many families is under $100.
Callahan, 21, said seeing such conditions changed the "dollar bills in my eyes," outlook he had when he arrived on campus. Snow, 20, said her parents forged her desire to help those less fortunate.
During a rain-soaked run together last summer, the altruistic students decided to launch Achieve in Africa.
"Just seeing what we have here, my conscience wouldn’t let me rest on it," said Callahan, who will fly to Olasiti for the groundbreaking in June.