Serve Daily

MtuluSchoo­linKenyane­edssupport

- By Sharon Warner

In 2011, Merit Academy adopted Mtulu, a school in rural Kenya. Since then, Merit’s fundraisin­g has built desperatel­y needed classrooms and bathroom facilities and purchased books and supplies. Recently, however, a famine has amplified the need of these students; many are starving.

Ninety miles from any urban center, Mtulu lies in the driest, poorest region of Kenya. Mtulu’s 500 students walk between four and eight miles to school, often on empty stomachs.

Upon learning this, Merit’s executive chef, Sharon Warner, sprang into action. Warner now leads a team of students in a delicious fundraisin­g campaign; before school, during lunch periods, and after school, busy hands have been preparing cinnamon rolls to sell at Merit’s performanc­es of “Oklahoma!”

“We have partnered with Kenya Keys, an NGO devoted to the developmen­t of Kenyan schools. Their representa­tives leave for Mtulu June 1. One hundred percent of the money from our cinnamon rolls will be handed directly to the school. For 23 cents, we can feed a child a meal, which means every dollar we raise has major impact. It breaks my heart to think of those young people going hungry,” Warner said.

In just one week, Merit has raised more than $1,300. However, Mtulu’s need is ongoing. If you would like to join Merit’s efforts, visit www.meritacade­my.org. Select “Class Fees.” Under “Misc Fees” is a donation line for Mutulu.

“We must not forget our partnershi­p with our sister school,” Warner said. “These are not Mtulu’s students we are feeding. These are our students, and this is our opportunit­y to help them.”

 ??  ?? Chef Sharon Warner has led students at Merit Academy in Springvill­e in an effort to raise money for Mtulu, a school in rural Kenya.
Chef Sharon Warner has led students at Merit Academy in Springvill­e in an effort to raise money for Mtulu, a school in rural Kenya.
 ??  ?? Merit Academy in Springvill­e has adopted Mtulu School in Kenya and is raising money to help build new facilities and purchase supplies.
Merit Academy in Springvill­e has adopted Mtulu School in Kenya and is raising money to help build new facilities and purchase supplies.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States