BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Each month, “WBZ Cares” highlights a worthy non-profit organization and tells the story of what that organization does for the community. This month WBZ is profiling School the World,a non-profit organization committed to solving extreme poverty through the power of education.
WBZ cares features School the World. Founded by Kate Curran in Boston 10 years ago, the nonprofit builds schools in Central America. One hundred so far with seven more in the pipeline.
“These are extremely poor communities. Like nothing most people in the United States have ever seen,” stated School the World’s CEO Kate Curran.
They build the schools partly with donated funds combined with an investment from the local communities. The locals also provide free labor to build them, so the families they serve become engaged and feel connected.
“Schools that are doing well make communities really proud. They take great pride. In the beginning it's the infrastructure. They're really proud of the infrastructure, but then when they start to see all the kids learning, and the change, they become really proud of it,” outlined Curran.
Part of the money that funds the schools in education programming is raised through student, family, and company service trips abroad.
“You know, the stories that they come back with about, not only the hard work, but the engagement of the community,” said Flywire CEO Mike Massaro.
Flywire is now sponsoring its third employee group trip.
“Seeing what they get to do, which is actually build an amazing new building. They get to load the shelves with new books and materials and really empower the whole community to educate their children for decades. That's a pretty powerful thing people come back from. It gives because people a lot of perspective of ways you can impact the world just giving up a week of your time,” concluded Massaro.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Shari Small Reports