The K.I.N.D kids of Sicomac

April 11, 2011
he Sicomac students had heard about the difficult situation faced by their counterparts in Malawi by watching a video clip from MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. The host described his visit to the country in the summer and how his shock at seeing students crowded into classrooms and sitting on dirt floors inspired him to take action. In partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, he created the K.I.N.D. Project (Kids In Need of Desks) and challenged Americans to help.
he Sicomac students had heard about the difficult situation faced by their counterparts in Malawi by watching a video clip from MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell. The host described his visit to the country in the summer and how his shock at seeing students crowded into classrooms and sitting on dirt floors inspired him to take action. In partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, he created the K.I.N.D. Project (Kids In Need of Desks) and challenged Americans to help.

Daniel Sadowsky is in the Education Department at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

I love when my job takes me into schools. As a 10-plus-year veteran of the classroom, I love how the energy of youths inspires you to do your best for them. Therefore, I was excited to represent the U.S. Fund for UNICEF on March 30 at Sicomac Elementary School in Wyckoff, N.J. I was even more excited about what brought me there.

O'Donnell-Sicomac.jpg
U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Sadowsky
MSNBC Host Lawrence O'Donnell told students at Sicomac Elementary School in Wyckoff, N.J., that a simple gift of a desk can change the world for students in Malawi.

The Sicomac students had heard about the difficult situation faced by their counterparts in Malawi by watching a video clip from MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell.

The host described his visit to the country in the summer and how his shock at seeing students crowded into classrooms and sitting on dirt floors inspired him to take action.

In partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, he created the K.I.N.D. Project (Kids In Need of Desks) and challenged Americans to help. With a contribution of only $48, they could pay for a Malawian worker to build and deliver a durable desk to a school in need. After learning about the situation in some Malawian schools and K.I.N.D. the students decided to take action.

Led by their Student Council, Sicomac students as young as kindergarteners donated to the K.I.N.D. Project and raised money through a book swap. (In the end, the total amount donated was over $6,000!) To cap off their achievement, they held a school-wide assembly and invited the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to attend.

The pride and enthusiasm we saw there was incredible. But it was nothing compared to what happened the moment the surprise guest was announced: Lawrence O'Donnell himself! The students could hardly believe the man who inspired them had come to their school, and they let him know it through their cheers. He addressed the students with true gratitude and sincerity. "These desks will help students connect with their teachers in a way they couldn't before," he told them.

"You have changed the world."

Mr. O'Donnell also praised UNICEF. "UNICEF is doing the most important long-term work in Africa today, because they're helping rebuild the schools"after long periods of neglect. The students may have paid for desks, he said, "but UNICEF is trying to fix the rest."

At a small reception after the assembly, Mr. O'Donnell spoke directly to the student council members and answered their wise-beyond-their-years questions. There were cameras everywhere capturing the moment. I saw in these kids' hands something at the reception more than just muffins and juice. There was also the that makes learning a right for some kids and a privilege for many more. They had the power to change the world.

Tune in to The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell tonight on MSNBC at 8:00 pm EST for the story on Sicomac's great work for kids in Malawi.

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