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Elangwe sends 490 pounds of books to Africa

 (Oct. 20, 2016) Worcester Prep 10th grader Henry Elangwe, of Salisbury, 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 when he was in third grade and enrolled at WPS in ninth grade. This summer, he packed up over 550 books and hundreds of magazines and shipped them to  Little Angels Elementary School 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 WPS students at the end of last school year, with the help of Head of Upper School Mike Grosso. His WPS bus driver was instrumental in helping transport the books to Elangwe’s home while his cousins, Nde Labah and Xavier Muapi, helped him pack the books to be shipped.  
Elangwe is very thankful for everyone, especially his aunt, 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.”