Industry-Leading Entrepreneur Andrew Sasson's Continued Partnership With H.E.L.P. Malawi Leads To Additional Educational Resources
New dormitory and library aim to better educate Malawian children, shrink class sizes
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Children of the impoverished Republic of Malawi in Africa now have access to better educational resources thanks, in part, to the financial aid of entrepreneur Andrew Sasson. A new library that permits access to literature and a new dormitory that allows for more teachers and a more sustainable pupil/teacher ratio was built in part with the financial contribution of Sasson.
Before the opening of the Nanthomba Full Primary School and the accompanying library and dormitory, no educational centers were located within a 5-hour drive of the Balaka District in Malawi. Because of a generous donation by Sasson, area villagers now have access to books to increase their literacy levels and provide educational enrichment, something that was not imaginable before a collaboration of Sasson, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization committed to cultivating the academic potential of Malawian children and young adults through education.
Earlier this month, Sasson and several members of his team were invited to the opening of the new Haze and Kash Sasson Conservation Dormitory and its subsidiary educational center, the William Kamkwamba Community Library, which was aided financially by Sasson and H.E.L.P. Representatives saw first hand the difference that these new centers had on the poverty-stricken village, not only from an architectural standpoint, but also from an emotional standpoint. The 2,200 square foot library even allowed some children to experience books for the first time in their lives.
"Since becoming a father, I've realized the absolute magnitude of importance that education has," Sasson said. "Every child should have access and the right to a meaningful education, regardless of their living circumstances."
Although the area primary school opened in 2008, education came at a price: Few teachers led to torrentially large class sizes, preventing educators from teaching to their full capabilities. The newly opened dormitory, named after Sasson's children, has the capacity to house 12 teacher trainees from Machinga Teacher Training College. With the additional teachers, class sizes have effectively been cut in half, from a student/teacher ratio of 94:1, to a more manageable 43:1 ratio.
"It really is eye-opening," Sasson said. "To be able to make a positive educational impact on children's lives is very gratifying."
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SOURCE Andrew Sasson
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