Franklin Elementary School Builds Library in Tanzania

FRANKLIN PARK, Pa., Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- When Franklin Elementary School Principal Jeff Anderchak had Kilimanjaro Education Foundation Founder Todd Grossman in for a meeting four years ago, the two talked about building a library in Tanzania with funds raised through various programs at Franklin, an elementary school in the North Allegheny School District, located in the Pittsburgh suburbs. KEF is a nonprofit volunteer organization with a mission to provide African children the same education opportunities as children in developed countries.

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The pair discussed a timeline of five to seven years to meet a $10,000 goal, but Anderchak was convinced the school would meet the goal in five years – maybe fewer.  Thanks to the commitment of Franklin Elementary School staff, parents and, most importantly, students, the school beat its goal by a year.  A dedication ceremony took place in August, officially opening the doors of the new library at the Eluwai Primary School and Noonkodin Secondary School in the village of Eluwai outside of Monduli in Tanzania.

The school raised funds through the years with spirit days, innovative sales of bracelets and other items created by students and an annual Parent vs. Staff basketball game.

"This project was truly kids helping kids and showing Franklin students that there are places in the world where a child appreciates a pencil or book as the greatest gift they can receive," said Anderchak.  "We have a great library at Franklin and thought that providing a fully stocked library to the children in Tanzania would be a great way to share one of the things our students love most about Franklin."

The library dedication took place this summer in conjunction with a charity climb of Kilimanjaro by Barry Leonard, a Charlotte, N.C., resident and president/CEO of home textiles company Welspun USA. Leonard was a passenger on USAirways Flight 1549, which was involved in an incident which became known as the Miracle on the Hudson when Captain Chesley Sullenberger made the split second decision to land the plane in the Hudson River.

"For KEF, there is no better project than one that involves kids helping kids and it makes our work at KEF all that much more gratifying," said Grossman.  "The students, staff and parents of Franklin Elementary embraced this project and enthusiastically raised funds to make sure that the kids in Tanzania had their library sooner, rather than later."

About KEF

Kilimanjaro Education Foundation (KEF), (www.kef4kids.org) founded in 2006, is incorporated in New York State and organized as a 501(c)(3). KEF strives to improve education and to build school facilities for underprivileged children in Tanzania and other countries bordering Kilimanjaro. KEF's volunteers and directors share in and impart not only the Foundation's passion for children and education, but also in KEF's core values of honesty, integrity, creativity and imagination.

Jeff Durosko
For KEF
412.635.7229
[email protected]

SOURCE Kilimanjaro Education Foundation (KEF)