Worcester Prep student collects books for school library in Africa

Worcester Prep tenth grader Henry Elangwe of Salisbury, Md., has not forgotten where he's from or how fortunate he is, thanks to his family. Born in Douala, Cameroon, Elangwe moved to the states in third grade and enrolled at Worcester in ninth grade. This summer, Henry collected and packed up more than 550 books and hundreds of magazines and shipped them to an elementary school called Little Angels in Bamako, Mali, as part of his aunt's Ignite Africa project. The Little Angels Elementary School opened in 2014, and is now in the process of building a middle school. The books Elangwe sent will help stock the future school library.

"I feel proud and happy going to a school like Worcester Prep that has so many educational tools to help students learn," he said. "I felt since I had the chance, I was obligated to give other children a chance to feel the same pride and happiness." Last year, his aunt, Wele Elangwe, developed the project called Ignite Africa to help schools in Africa with limited access to books and other educational items. He got involved by collecting new and used books from his fellow students at the end of last school year, with the help of Head of Upper School Mike Grosso. His Worcester Prep bus driver was instrumental in helping transport the books to his home while his cousins Nde Labah and Xavier Muapi helped him pack the books to be shipped.

He said he's thankful for everyone, especially his aunt Wele Elangwe, who helped inspire him along the way. "I was proud of myself for indirectly making a difference by helping educate the next generation of children," he said. "I am especially proud of my fellow students, teachers and my Worcester Prep family who greatly supported me on my journey to help others in need from my country. My goal is to continue collecting books every year."