Designer clothes, expensive purses, flashy cars.
This is what people think about when they hear the name Seaholm. However, some Seaholm students are starting to break the stereotypical Birmingham mold.
Over the summer, a group of students traveled to Ghana, Africa to help impoverished children. Everyone knew that it was going to be something they would remember for the rest of their lives; but for Seaholm seniors Ben Eveslage and Jessica Forzano, it changed their lives completely. “The experience I had in Ghana inspired me in a way I have never felt. When I was sitting on the plane coming home I knew I had to do more no matter what it took,” said senior Jessica Forzano.
After a lot of hard work and long hours of planning Eveslage and Forzano have finally found a way that they can help people living in Africa. The group they formed is called Volunteer Africa. A group dedicated to bettering the lives for poverty stricken people living in Africa.
“We are doing different fundraisers, can drives, book drives, clothes drives, and we will also have African forum meetings so that everyone can learn more about Africa,” said Forzano.
This type of work is not easy though, it takes a long time to organize these types of events. “Planning is, well the kind of sleepless nights and giving up everything else kind of planning.
This is absolutely true, from day one the amount to do has only grown,” said Eveslage.
With so many hours already put into Volunteer Africa, Eveslage and Forzano are now changing Volunteer Africa into a non-profit organization.
“Yes, we are going to become a non-profit. This has been the most difficult time I have ever been through, and I can say the same for Jess. Becoming a non-profit is very hard. First we have to be 18, so I have to wait a few weeks for that. Then I need to file with the state, to become incorporated. Although we are not for profit the term is incorporated. So legally Jess and I are starting a business at the age of 18. So that will allow us to be called a non-profit organization,” said Eveslage.
Some may be wondering what the difference between a student group and a non-profit is. “The difference between the students group and a non-profit organization would be that we would get complete independence from the school. Although we will have strong ties with our school and others, we want to become something a bit bigger than the walls of Seaholm,” said Eveslage.
With nearly seventy members working for Volunteer Africa already, Eveslage and Forzano are still looking for many others to join.
“This group is not just for people who want to go on a trip to Africa. It is for anyone who wants to do more for other people. We want to give everyone the opportunity to make a difference,” said Forzano.
Hoping to gain support from people outside of Seaholm, Volunteer Africa is holding its first event.
“Everyone should come to the event. It is on Wednesday November 19th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Even if you just come for fifteen minutes, you will be glad you did!” said Forzano.
