Harlem Teens Travel to Uganda to Volunteer to Teach Malaria Prevention

March 14, 2011 - PRLog -- In a few short weeks, from April 15 - 24th,  a time when most high school students are enjoying spring break, 12 teens and three adults from the Trio Upward Bound College Preparation Program of Boys & Girls Harbor will be traveling to Africa to volunteer at Soft Power Health’s Uganda Project.    Under the direction of Soft Power Health’s founder, Dr. Jessie Stone, Harbor students will assist in explaining to villagers how malaria is contracted and how they can protect themselves through the use of mosquito nets. At the end of the session, villagers purchase subsidized nets.  This is the fourth time Harbor students will travel to Uganda. A scholarship fund set up by the Arthur Ross Foundation is offsetting the costs of this unique service learning opportunity for Harbor students.   *Participating students are available for interviews.

“At the Harbor, we believe strongly that young people are empowered and their moral character enhanced when they experience the rewards of giving back to those less fortunate.”  Crystal Floyd, Director of the Harbor’s College Preparation program commented, “Every time our students, many of whom are labeled by our society as ‘disadvantaged’ travel to assist those in need, they never fail to realize and marvel at how fortunate they really are in comparison.”

From penny drives and walkathons all the way to volunteer missions in Africa and South America, students at the Harbor are encouraged to find ways to give back.   With the help of corporate mentors, elementary and middle school students at the Harbor have raised money for aid to Haiti, organized canned food drives, volunteered at senior centers, painted murals in local hospitals, and created gift baskets for families living in shelters.  Other teens spent a month in Peru to help build a children’s park and community recycling center.  Some students have received certification as First Responders.

Thomas Howard, Jr. Ed.D., Executive Director of Boys & Girls Harbor, had this to say, “The educational enrichment youngsters’ gain during their time at the Harbor is vital to their future success, as are the core values that are instilled in them. Through every academic lesson, every music or dance class, or trip to perform public service, the students are taught to have hope, to believe and to be responsible. Each child learns to believe in themselves, to have faith that there is success ahead, and to have a sense of responsibility for themselves and for their community.”

COLLEGE PREPARATION AND TRIO UPWARD BOUND

Since 1982, the Harbor's college preparatory programs under the direction of Crystal Floyd and her dedicated staff of educational counselors have helped thousands of young people achieve their very best. Participating students are in grades nine through twelve, most of whom represent the first potential generation to attend college. More than 90% of those who take part go on to college. TRIO Upward Bound is a rigorous program where promising high school students come to the Harbor every afternoon after school for college preparation classes, workshops in test taking strategies, writing skills and library research, and assistance with the often-daunting college admissions process. We also offer mentoring, internship opportunities, career education, special cultural activities and activities for parents.

BOYS & GIRLS HARBOR

Under one roof, more than 1,300 children and young people benefit from the Harbor’s Early Childhood Education programs; our affiliated Harbor Science and Arts Charter School for elementary and middle-school students; the renowned Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts and the Raices Latin Music Museum; after-school and summer enrichment programs; college preparation services; and counseling and social/emotional services and referrals.  To learn more please visit us on-line at www.theharbor.org or call 212/427-2244 ext. 544.  

Soft Power Health is a U.S. based 501c3 organization founded by Dr. Jessie Stone with two main projects: The Uganda Project - the Uganda Project includes three main branches: the rural primary and preventative health clinic located in Kyabirwa village, the malaria education and prevention program serving villages in three surrounding districts, and the family planning outreach program serving villages in the two nearest subcounties.  All programs serve to educate and empower locals to take control of their health care.

The Kids Kayaking Camp - building confidence, and teaching patience, respect for nature, and risk-taking to inner city kids through the sport of kayaking. The kids kayaking camps take place in the US, and many volunteer with the Ugandan project.

Additional information about Dr. Stone’s wonderful work can be found at http://www.softpowerhealth.org.

# # #

BOYS & GIRLS HARBOR -Under one roof, more than 1,300 children and young people benefit from the Harbor’s Early Childhood Education programs; our affiliated Harbor Science and Arts Charter School for elementary and middle-school students; the renowned Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts and the Raices Latin Music Museum; after-school and summer enrichment programs; college preparation services; and counseling and social/emotional services and referrals. To learn more please visit us on-line at www.theharbor.org or call 212/427-2244 ext. 544.