What could a group of students from Wapakoneta High School possibly have in common with families living in the largest slum in Africa? At first glance, not much. But for one group of World Food and Cultures students, a classroom lesson has sparked an international act of compassion.

The students, taught by Michelle Gearing and Lisa Romer, recently learned about global inequalities in food access and clean water across Africa. Their lessons took on new meaning when guest speaker Melissa Brown, executive director of Acacia of Hope, visited the class to share about life in Kenya and the realities families face in the Kibera Slum.

“I love sharing with others about Kenya and how others live,” Brown told the students. “We are so fortunate to have the things we have in America. There are so many around the world who do not even know if they will eat or drink today. We know what we are eating and drinking for the next week.”

Brown explained that many children in Kibera rely on contaminated water sources, with waterborne illnesses causing severe sickness and, in some cases, death. The presentation struck a chord with the students.

Motivated by what they learned, the two classes decided they wanted to do more than study world cultures, they wanted to respond to them. Together, they launched a fundraising effort to provide water filters for families living in Kibera, a densely populated community in Nairobi where most residents live in cramped homes without access to electricity, plumbing, or clean water.

Over the course of just a few weeks, the classes raised nearly $1,000, enough to purchase 25 water filters. Each filter can provide clean, safe drinking water for a family of 6 for up to ten years.

“This project gave our students the chance to take what they learned and turn it into real-world impact,” said Gearing. “I’m so proud of them for believing, for dreaming big, and for making good things happen. Acacia of Hope is the real deal. It’s changing lives for the better, and my students right here in Wapakoneta can see and feel the impact from thousands of miles away. After 29 years of teaching, bringing out the best in students is still what it’s all about for me.”

Romer agreed, adding that the project reinforced both gratitude and responsibility. “I am so proud of my students for thinking about others around the world in need,” she said. “It is very rewarding to see our youth commit to helping others who are less fortunate. Knowing that my class helped many families have clean, safe water to drink and cook with is such a positive experience. It is a special feeling to know we can make a difference in the life of someone else.”

She continued, “After 28 years of teaching at WHS, moments like these remind me why I love teaching World Cultures & Foods.”

Brown, a Wapakoneta graduate herself, expressed pride in the students’ initiative and compassion. “It is truly amazing to see these students learn in the classroom and apply what they’ve learned,” she said. “As a fellow Redskin graduate, I am proud. This is what being a Redskin is all about.”

Acacia of Hope, the nonprofit organization Brown leads, focuses on education, community empowerment, and humanitarian support in Kenya. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation, visit acaciaofhope.org.