February 22, 2008 — The Dean Middle School Young Ladies for Positive Actions (YLPA) are currently conducting “Change for a Change,” a community service project benefiting the Kisumu Project—an organization that strives to improve the educational, economic, health, social and spiritual conditions of the people in Eastern Africa.

“Change for a Change” involves Dean MS students donating varying amounts of change each Friday to help the ladies of YLPA reach their set goal of $1,500 before March 28. After just four weeks, the group has raised nearly $1,000.

The majority of the funds raised by Dean’s YLPA will go toward finishing a water well for Esibila Primary School and the surrounding community in Kisumu, the third-largest city in Kenya . Remaining funds will be used to purchase a computer, printer and video camera for a group home called Migosi Family Focus Group.

Dean YLPA sponsor Kesha Bolton learned of the Kisumu Project through Jersey Village High School teacher Brenda Thonsgaard-Flores, who was heavily involved with the program. Bolton was looking for a way to incorporate service projects into YLPA and—after hearing Thonsgaard-Flores’ presentation to the YLPA last fall—thought that the Kisumu Project was an ideal fit.

“The girls were really touched by what they saw in the presentation on the Kisumu Project,” Bolton said. “It’s difficult to comprehend that having shoes to wear and clean water to drink are considered luxuries to those students.”

The YLPA came up with the name “Change for a Change” and began spreading the word about their collection efforts. With more than a month remaining to accept spare change, the YLPA group is projected to exceed their initial goal of $1,500.

“We are just shocked at how much money we’ve raised in just four weeks,” Bolton said. “I thought it would take longer. On one hand I was surprised, but on the other hand I wasn’t. They’re a great group of girls and I’m proud of what they’re doing.”

Those interested in receiving information regarding the Kisumu Project or donating to “Change for a Change,” please contact Kesha Bolton at kesha.bolton@cfisd.net .

Dean Middle School eighth-grade student Keishonna Smith, the school’s YLPA president, displays bags of change that students are collecting for the Kisumu Project through the ongoing YLPA fundraiser, “Change for a Change.”

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