Heading to Kenya this July to make the world a better place

Who: Lacombe High School Students
Age: 16-18
What: Heading to Kenya this July to make the world a better place

This Wednesday Believe In Youth presents to you a story of 20 high school students who are striving to make a difference in the world. They are taking a humanitarian trip to Africa to help people in Kenya who are suffering. This is something they didn't have to do, but wanted to do. We need more and more young people like that in the world to continue making a positive impact on our society. This article is from the Lancombe Globe.

Lacombe high school students plan humanitarian trip
A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.

By Lisa Joy
Globe Editor
Tuesday February 26, 2008

A group of about 20 students from Ecole Lacombe Composite High School are heading to Kenya this July to help make the world a better place.

"This trip is about realizing that the world is bigger than ourselves and our desire is to create an opportunity for students to make a real difference in someone's life that is in need," said Jake Schellenberg, who heads the group Youth Unlimited.

"We believe that helping people is the main ingredient in making the world a better place in Kenya, as well as our world right here in Lacombe," he added. "As we make an impact on others we are impacted, so it's a win-win for everyone."

The students have planned this trip since last year and are not deterred by the post-election violence that has ravaged Kenya since December.

Grade 11 student Jordan Graber says he's not afraid to go and is looking forward to filling a need in Kenya.

"I've always wanted to go (to Africa) since I was little, to just help them out because they are suffering.


"There's so much we can do. The world is so big and you don't get these opportunities often, so any difference you can make is good."

Schellenberg–who just returned from a few weeks in Kenya with Eric Rajah, founder of Lacombe-based humanitarian group A Better World–says he felt safe while in Kenya. He went to assess the situation there before taking Lacombe students this July for disaster relief.

"I did not feel like I was in danger at any time," he said. "We took the proper precautions and made sure that we measured all the risks.

"We are definitely concerned about taking students to Kenya and we are really happy that we still have five months before we leave to understand what is happening," he added.

He said what struck him the most was the amount of need he saw in Kenya.

"I saw need from a school that desperately needs help, from kids in orphanages that have been taken in, and from the refugee camp we worked in while we were there."

Eight leaders will accompany the group of youth, ranging in age from 16 to 18.

Besides humanitarian work, Schellenberg says the students will have an opportunity to experience African culture.

"They will be organizing activities with kids, teaching classes, getting their hands dirty with some work projects, soaking in and learning about African culture and taking some time for safari."

A fundraiser is planned on March 8, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church to help fund the students' trip. The evening will feature local entertainment.
Information will also be presented about Project Africa, a joint venture between A Better World and Youth Unlimited.