‘Be the change’
By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
O Ambassadors, composed of nearly 150 high and middle school students in the East Windsor Regional School District, held a month-long fundraiser in January to raise money for famine relief in East Africa.
To do so, students sold African-made Rafiki necklaces, for $10 each, and raised more than $3,000 to help feed starving children, which was donated to the highly regarded international non-profit organization, Free The Children.
International child rights activist Craig Kielburger incepted the non-profit Free the Children in 1995, and the organization has received the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child and the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations.
O Ambassadors was launched last decade with seed money from Oprah Whifrey’s Angel Network. It has since become part of Free the Children.
In a nutshell, O Ambassadors helps bring sustainable farming, clean water and food to those in need. This is accomplished, in part, because of the work of local club members right here in Hightstown and East Windsor.
The Hightstown High School O Ambassadors Club began in 2009 after receiving the Board of Education’s approval in December of 2008, Felicia Mode Alexander said on Tuesday, who founded the club. Then, she went on to begin the Melvin H. Kreps Junior O Ambassadors Club earlier this school year in 2011.
”The funds generated by these two O Ambassador clubs is significant,” Ms. Alexander said. “To date, over $10,000 has been sent to Free the Children to aid in its efforts ‘on the ground’ (including) building schools and providing both famine and earthquake aid to East Africa and Haiti.” The East Windsor and Hightstown youth of the O-Ambassadors have contributed to building the Kisaruni Girls School in Kenya.
The schools have also contributed to the building of a well and the planting of a garden in East Africa.
Since the O Ambassadors’ inception in the district, more than 100 high school and nearly 70 middle school students have participated in our educational meetings and fundraising activities, according to Ms. Alexander, which includes a mentoring component between high school students.
Students from the middle and high school clubs meet on alternating Thursdays after-school along with two adult advisors per school.
”Our children come from many different ethnic backgrounds, but enthusiastically unite to be part of this inspirational program,” Ms. Alexander said.
Members range from sixth to twelfth grade students within East Windsor Regional School District.
Ms. Alexander said the “best part” of the recent O Ambassadors fundraiser was that for each $10 necklace sold, it generated enough funds to feed one person in East Africa for an entire month through Free the Children.
This concentrated effort to help feed the famished is having a lasting impact on the students involved.
Five sixth-graders and one Hightstown High student met with the Herald on March 26 to discuss O Ambassadors, alongside advisors Ms. Alexander and Frances Lavelle, who is a co-advisor for the middle school club. Ms. Lavelle teaches sixth grade social studies at Kreps.
”These kids are amazing,” Ms. Lavelle said.
”It makes me feel good (that I did this to help) children starving in Africa,” said Anusha Kemburu, 11, of East Windsor, of the necklace fundraiser. “I really impacted their lives in a really good way.”
Danny Teman, 12, of East Windsor, said, “I never knew that I could really help someone that doesn’t have food and water.”
Michael Aurdal, 11, of East Windsor, said, “We have the ability to help.” Michael is a member of Boy Scout Troop 5700.
Sindhu Inala, 11, of East Windsor, contrasted that while Americans take such things granted, people in East Africa “are overjoyed” when they receive food and water.
”I really like helping people,” said Bianca Patterson, 11, of East Windsor. Through the necklaces she sold, she said, “I feel happy that the three children can get food.”
Students thus far have watched Free the Children films about students building schools in Africa; traveled to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.; studied the Holocaust as well as contemporary genocidal acts in Africa; and heard guest speakers discuss global service work.
Most recently, a student from Lawrence High School, SaraBeth Sullivan, spoke to the Junior O Ambassadors to share her 2011 experience in Ghana with Operation Smile. To raise money earlier this school year, high school O Ambassadors wrapped holiday gifts for tips at Barnes and Noble in Princeton and conducted 24-hour Vows of Silence with funding sponsors.
Upcoming events include a Casual for a Cause dress down day for middle school faculty on April 27 to benefit O Ambassadors and Free the Children.
Prior to that, there will be an O Ambassadors and Student Council sponsored Heritage Day at Kreps H. Melvin Middle School on May 31.
Ms. Alexander said a future goal for O Ambassadors is to learn about other areas served by Free the Children, including Ecuador and India.
The high school O Ambassadors had planned on focusing on those countries this year, but, said Jay Patel, 16, of East Windsor, “When the famine hit (East Africa) — that was more important.”
”In Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Uganda (people are) struggling to survive as this region, also known as the Horn of Africa, is affected by drought, rising food prices and the worst drought in 60 years for the region,” according to the United Nations Children’s Fund.
”We need to get as much help for them as possible,” Danny said.
‘Be the change’
”You only need a couple of people to make a change,” said Hightstown High junior Jay, who serves as the treasurer of the HHS O Ambassadors club. “Make the change something.”
”I feel we are helping as much as we can, but, sometimes, ‘as much as you can,’ isn’t enough. And, you have to work even harder,” Danny said. He told the Herald that he has chosen O Ambassadors for his bar mitzvah project through Beth El Synagogue.
Of his own life, Danny said, “This club has made such a change.”
As for future goals, the students said they hope to continue to help those in need and raise awareness in the community.
”I am very happy that I joined this club,” Michael said. “I look at the world very differently.”
The East Windsor district students sold the most number of necklaces in America as part of the Free the Children fundraising drive.
”That was a big achievement,” Michael said.
Students concurred with the sentiment of the late pacifist and human rights activist Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
”O Ambassadors is a place where different cultures unite and create a bond with only one clear goal that is, ‘be the change, and make the change for the less fortunate,’” said Jay, who was born in Africa.
To learn more, visit www.freethechildren.com.

