'Looking forward to the new academic term': School supplies handed out in northeast Calgary
In northeast Calgary, the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation hosted its annual Rise to Success Youth Empowerment: Back-to-School Event. This program, originally launched by founder Aline Gahiza in Burundi and Rwanda in 2012, has been running for 14 years and aims to provide children in need with essential school supplies.
The event, held on a Saturday, saw the distribution of 100 stuffed backpacks filled with necessary items to children from underprivileged backgrounds. This year's event was supported by sponsors like United Way Calgary and TD Canada Trust.
Aline Gahiza, the founder of the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation, emphasised the importance of education as a "passport for the future" and a powerful tool for changing the world. By ensuring children have access to basic school supplies, the program seeks to empower youth and reduce educational inequalities.
Volunteer Shayla Ahmadi, motivated by the desire to ensure that children in need have the basic necessities for school, donates her time to the foundation. Ahmadi believes that every child deserves an equal opportunity to succeed academically, and the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation's school supplies program is beneficial for these children.
Ahmadi notes that some children cannot afford backpacks or school supplies, making the program particularly impactful in addressing basic educational needs and fostering youth empowerment. The event's direct support to children from underprivileged backgrounds helps remove barriers to education and fosters hope and motivation for success.
In 2023, Gahiza relocated the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation's school supplies program to Calgary, continuing the initiative locally. The foundation's commitment to education as a foundation for personal growth and community development is evident in its long-standing work, first in Africa and now in Calgary.
Gahiza concluded, "Because education is a powerful weapon. Education is a powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Through its efforts, the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation continues to make a significant difference in the lives of children and communities, promoting education as a key to a brighter future.
News about the Wings of Hope for Africa Foundation's annual Rise to Success Youth Empowerment: Back-to-School Event highlighted the distribution of learning materials, including 100 stuffed backpacks, to underprivileged children. Aline Gahiza, the foundation's founder, emphasized the importance of education-and-self-development in fostering youth empowerment and reducing educational inequalities.
