April 13, 2009

Los Angeles, CA- The LMU men's basketball community outreach program "LMU Cares," in partnership with Project Knapsack, have taken their education initiative globally, reaching out to students in Soweto, South Africa. LMU Cares mission is to develop and foster long term partnerships with students from local community schools while supporting education through service learning on a global scale. This past month the Lions have done just that.

It started in October when the program celebrated its launch in southern California by partnering students from Daniel Freeman Elementary School and Lennox Middle School, both under LMU's umbrella, with pen pals in Zambia and South Africa. Porcha Dodson , Founder and President of Project Knapsack, hand delivered the pen pal letters to elementary students at the Molalatladi Primary School in Soweto.

In addition to the letters, students at the Molalatladi Primary School each received their very own backpacks filled with school supplies. LMU Cares also provided each student with calculators, pocket dictionaries, maps, globes and a set of brand new encyclopedias.

"We are so grateful and appreciative to the LMU men's basketball team, Project Knapsack and the entire LMU Cares staff for giving our students at Molalatladi the gift of education and hope. Your kindness and generosity is simply immeasurable," says Julia Ngobeni, Principal at Molalatladi School.

Soweto stands for South Western Township and is considered the most populous black residential area located in the Gauteng Provence. South Africa's education system is still struggling to overcome inequalities due to the overwhelming strains of apartheid. Many students attend local township schools, however, often fail to meet grade level standards due to lack of books and other essential learning tools.

"While living in South Africa, I had the pleasure of working with many wonderful students and educators. Project Knapsack seemed like the perfect opportunity to educate students on both continents, while grooming my young men to become stellar athletes and humanitarians," said Associate Head Coach, Myke Scholl.

In their letters, students on both continents were encouraged to talk about school, family, hobbies, pets, music and what life is like living in a big city. "It is important for students in America to realize the issues and hardships that affect student learning in the developing world. Our students are truly blessed to be able to receive a boundless education, support services and endless resources at their finger-tips," says Dodson.

In April, the LMU men's basketball team will continue assisting with the letter writing component when they visit students at Lennox Middle school. Team members and coaches will assist the students in writing their return letters to their new friends in Soweto.

For more information on getting involved in LMU Cares, call the LMU basketball office at (310) 338-4504.