The Education Rocks Club at Coral Glades High School is a chapter of a larger nonprofit organization that is focused on promoting the importance of education as well as expanding access to children in need worldwide. Originally, this organization targeted this issue in Bali, but it has since expanded to India and Indonesia.
Founded in 2010, this organization relies on its members to fundraise in order to address the global issue of educational inequity. By doing this, members are given the opportunity to play an active role in supporting the education of an underprivileged child. According to the Education Rocks website, if every student in the United States sponsored the education of a child in a developing country, this could be enough to eradicate the cycle of poverty around the world.
“I feel that it is important for clubs like Education Rocks to be in schools. High schoolers should know the impact they can make in a child’s life no matter how small.” Says Aveline Harding, a sophomore. “Personally I believe that education is one of the things that everyone should have access to regardless of location, situation, or otherwise. And I’m grateful to be able to contribute to that cause by being a part of Ed Rocks.”
At Coral Glades High School, the Education Rocks chapter is sponsored by none other than Ms. Roys. This club provides students with a chance to fundraise towards a shared initiative: sponsor as many children’s education as possible. Members achieve this throughout the year by attending fundraising events like socials or selling concessions. Speaking of, Education Rocks has been selling “boo grams” for five dollars throughout the month, with distributions taking place this week. All the money collected through these events goes right back into the student’s fund for the children that are being sponsored. By participating in these fundraisers, members are able to directly make an impact on the lives of children all the way across the world from them.
“I think being an officer and generally being in the club actively participating has allowed the children to establish a positive bond with their sponsors.”Says sophomore Madelaine Nguyen, the treasurer of Education Rocks. “I’m sure the effort and money raised within the club has given the children hope and a positive feeling of having others help and support them”
Fundraising is a central element of Education Rocks, however, the club also offers up to 50 hours worth of service hour opportunities throughout the year. This includes participating in donations, participating in club activities, and most meaningfully, writing letters to the children being sponsored. These letters allow students to form deep connections they otherwise would not be able to, as they select one child to sponsor throughout the entire year. These letters are first written in the writer’s native language and then translated into the target language. This all happens through the organization’s portal, ensuring effective communication. Through this process, the children are able to learn more about the lives of students in the United States and vice versa.
This club shows members how crucial it is to be able to have access to education, as well as the importance of taking initiative and being able to rise to the occasion for a cause.
