Members of York Catholic’s football team move desks and chairs on an August day. The school filled a rental truck with classroom furniture to donate to a school in Ghana as part of a project with the local non-profit, Building Solid Foundations.
Thanks to a gesture of solidarity and stewardship on behalf of the York Catholic Middle & High School community, students in Apam, Ghana, will have desks and chairs to sit in during their classroom sessions this fall.
Working in tandem with Building Solid Foundations – a York-based non-profit organization – the school filled a rental truck with desks and chairs this summer that will be delivered to Ghana in October. The donation puts to good use a number of quality used pieces of furniture for the benefit of students in the African country who often don’t have desks to sit in at school.
The donation comes as York Catholic Middle School welcomes its students to updated classrooms and other renovations as part of its current Capital Campaign, “Grow Today, Impact Tomorrow.”
Principal Katie Seufert sees the donation of classroom furniture as a reflection of York Catholic’s mission to educate students in faith, family and respect, and to prepare them to serve the global community.
“Service helps our YC young adults grow as learners and leaders, solidifying core principles of responsibility, communication, collaboration, commitment and so much more. These traits and experiences are what today’s colleges and universities are seeking as they look for students who stand out from their peers,” she said.
The non-profit Building Solid Foundations was founded by Pennsylvania residents Dr. Seth and Grace Quartey to provide necessary aid to help the dire situation in their home country. The organization partners with various churches, clubs and groups, and since 2003 has improved sanitation in the Apam hospital and schools; sent medical teams to treat diseases and perform surgeries; and donated books and materials to school students.
York Catholic teamed up with Building Solid Foundations through its connections to graduates, spouses and past parents who are board members of the organization.
In addition to its work with Building Solid Foundations, York Catholic students also support Outreach PARAGUAY, Seufert said. The non-profit organization was established by the school’s Spanish-language teacher, Milner Sosa, and his wife, Eileen.
“Students have donated books, clothing and money to this worthwhile cause that is close to their hearts. We sent more than 30 Chromebooks to Paraguay this summer in support of that organization as well,” Suefert said.
“Over the years, our students have been fortunate to reap the benefits of desks to sit in, books to read from, and chalkboards to write on. Many students don’t get to experience those luxuries. Rather than throw items away, it only seemed right to give other students the opportunity for an enhanced educational experience with the items we could donate,” she said.
The Building Solid Foundation team will depart for Apam, Ghana, on October 15.
“At YC, inspiring the next generation of community advocates and stewards is at the heart of our approach to championing the value of service. By empowering our students to be engaged members of society who are ready to serve our global community, we are preparing them to be leaders and advocates for the power of service to lift us up personally and in faith,” Seufert said.
Learn more about York Catholic Middle & High School at www.yorkcatholic.org.
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