The Last Word is joining forces up with UNICEF for cause very important to our host, Lawrence O'Donnell. The newly launched campaign, “K.I.N.D.: Kids In Need of Desks,” aims to help students in Malawi by improving conditions of classrooms.
The country’s education system is plagued by several factors: overcrowding, a shortage of qualified teachers and a profound scarcity of basic materials, like desks or chairs. Most kids just sit on the floor because they don’t have any other option.
On a visit to the country this past summer, Lawrence saw first hand the poor conditions of these schools. So he got together with UNICEF to help supply desks to Malawi classrooms in a fundraising drive.
This unique partnership between MSNBC and UNICEF will specifically target 172 schools in four of Malawi’s priority districts: Blantyre Rural, Dedza, Kasungu, and Lilongwe Rural East & West. The success of the partnership will ensure that these schools are well equipped, providing a safe and stimulating learning environment for deserving kids.
In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, approximately 45 million children do not go to school. Out of those that do attend, only 20 percent have access to furniture. We hope to change that.
To learn more about K.I.N.D. and ways you can donate a desk to a child, visit LastWordDesks.msnbc.com or unicefusa.org/kind.
Leave a Comment:
I really like your "get the kids off the school room floor". Education is the way to help people help themselves. Desks are great, but how about "stadium seats"? They require about a yard of fabric, 2 lengths of strap, and something for cushioning the seat. Probably about $3 each. They can be made anywhere, with or without a sewing machine. They wouldn't use up the hard to find wood needed for fires. Not as good as a proper desk, but I think a real step in the right direction. What do you think? I will contribute for a proper desk, but think that stadium seats might be a good idea too. And they can be used elsewhere.
I will donate tonight. I really like the use of local businesses to make the desks. But - as an educator - It would be great if every desk could have the first name and hometown of the person donating the desk. In that way, the students would have a place to learn - and there would also be a geography lesson as well.
Giving in it's purest form expects nothing in return~
I would like to donate but your web-site doesn't lead me to how ??
UNICEF
Follow the link, I did. It was painless.
Which link? I'm having the same problem. Every time I click "Donate" I am taken to a page I have already been at.
How do you break out of this loop and get to a page where you can actually donate?
I eventually had to resort to the UNICEF link. That seemed to work.
You had me at the first photo of the kids...what a great idea..Not only will this help the students..but it will help Malawi grow..thankyou for bringing it to your viewers attention.
Lawrence --
Your Malawi story was fascinating but as I watched, I couldn't help but think those desks were probably stolen for firewood before you made it back to the airport. Was there any security provided for the desks? If not, they're history desks by now . .
When talking about a country without firewood, I would not be bothered even if your prejudices are confirmed. If it means a hot meal for someone, then why is that a bad thing?
Mr O'Donnell:
Thank you for shedding light on the plight of Malawis' lack of basic school needs for its children. Desks.
I am a Malawian in Albany N.Y. working in Urban Christian Ministry at a Mission for the homeless. I have a brother, Kalekeni Banda a retired soccer coach, who has been struggling to help children in Malawi through his foundation Banda Bola Sports Foundation,Inc.. Please consider contacting him, he has a compelling story and took early retirement from coaching to try and bring help to the children of Malawi. He has an intense passion for education, soccer and the children of Malawi, as do I. He needs help to help these kids help themselves. I believe the key is education, health and faith. Faith is greatly tested when basic education needs and/or good health is lacking even in the most meager forms.
Thank you for the interest and action you have taken to help the children of my native country of Malawi. What governments are unable to do, sometimes they undo, God is able to do through special gifted individuals. It is my belief and prayer that you are one of these people.
May God bless you abundantly!
I am profoundly impressed by your mission to provide desks to the children of Malawia. Among my thoughts, having been a teacher for many years, is how well behaved and truly grateful these young children are for what most children in the US take for granted. A second thought is that I am deeply impressed by the behavior of 90 students in such a small and compacted space. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Lawrence. For even a small donation by US standards makes such an important difference. Bravo! And, I rushed to my computer to donate immediate - and it feels wonderful!
Larry O'Donnell,
We have a similar background, my father in law was a Boston cop who worked out of Station One for many years. He also worked several other jobs to put my wife through Regis College in Weston, MA where she graduated Cum Laude in the PreMed program. She also minored in PreLaw. Unfortunately, my wife passed away on September 5, 2010,
I am the product of the Irish Catholic ghetto in West Newton, MA and a former US Marine now retired and a patient at the VA Hospital in La Jolla, CA. My youngest daughter is now my caregiver at home. In 1948 about the only job a women with an education could get was as a school teacher and she taught school for over forty years as a result.
Your Malawi story was one of the most spectacular explanations of abject poverty I have ever seen and hopefully will raise a ton of money to give these kids a start. It sort of reminded me of my Korean War experience in 1950-1952 when I stole pork chops and fried chicken from the battalion mess tent whenever we had a hot meal instead of frozen C-rations and dumped them in the swill bucket before washing my mess gear. Like magic, one of the Korean women who hung out there to collect garbage for their family would have her hand in the swill to pick out my gift of food for her family before I got three steps away from the garbage can. Those were not the good old days for the Korean civilians or the First Marine Division, believe me.
Now I see another opportunity to make a difference by supporting your interest in Malawi, a place I will never see, and it feels like a good thing to do on behalf of me and my family. I already send money to these micro lending groups around the world and I think that is a worthwhile project also. I believe that yours is a better choice for us at this time however so as soon as I get a bill from UNICEF I will send a check and in addition will set up an account for a small monthly check that will remain until my death. When the checks no longer arrive you will know that I have gone to meet my wife of nearly sixty years.
Semper Fidelis, say hello to the folks in Southie for me partner...
Two less children on the floor!
Wonderful segment Mr. O'donnell. Although, I must admit if you only spent 780 bucks for that classroom, this upcomming tax cut gift from the Repugs should allow you to fill a few more classrooms.
Will do all I can to raise money for this cause. Reminds me of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen.
Great story! Very interested in donating and getting a lot of donations put together from friends and family, though one concern - the handling of credit card information online and via mail. I realize donations by check are possible but how about UNICEF set up a PayPal option to ensure a quick donation process for many charitable givers who, despite having the best intentions, are more likely (and quickly) to give at the click of a button than searching for a checkbook they haven't used in years?
I'll be sure to give and will encourage others but I hope UNICEF takes 21st century advances into consideration for amplified gift-giving in this case and in the future.
Paypal WILL bring in more donations. We only contribute through Paypal...easy and fast.
Is there a phone number to call and donate?
Love your show, Lawrence. You are so thoughtful, intelligent, modest, and inspirational too. You represent the best in TV journalism/commentary, and you've won us over by your presentation about the children of Malawi. As retired California teachers, we can appreciate how hard it must be for children to learn while sitting on dirt floors. Getting them up closer to eye level will make their jobs as students much easier. (The teachers probably need better blackboards too.) Best wishes to you for a happy holiday...and love to the children of Malawi.
Larry, We think your show is terrific. The desk idea is great and we wish to send a donation. How do we do it securley.
I was so moved by this story I want donate. Education is one of the most important gifts we can give these children so they can some day begin to lift their country out of poverty.
Larry,
Kudos for the desk initiative!!!
What an excellent way to give something at Christmas time! You're a very classy guy who obviously believes that government and the "powers to be" should exist for one reason: the promotion of the common-wealth- to all humanity on this planet. I'm calling the 1 800 For Kids number to order a couple desks and will do this every year as long as the need exists- i.e., every year.
What great way to help these children. Lets stop spending trillions
for wars.
Larry,
Kudos for the desk initiative! What a great way to give something at Christmas time. This is in the spirit of Greg Mortenson/Three Cups of tea.
You're a class act journalist and a breath of fresh air in this time of tax cuts for billionaires. I just called the 800 For Kids # and ordered 2 desks and will do so every year the initiative continues. Thanks for spotlighting this great cause.
Lawrence, you're a really good man.
Amazing! I'm IN!
Good story and cause. Sent in a donation a couple of days ago with cc, but consider adding PayPal for easier donations.
Excellent cause! will donate $100 as soon as you add PAYPAL option.
I am proud and happy to buy a desk. Thank you Lawrence, for your excellent work. I am a happier liberal for this small act. We can all make a difference...we can all help our fellow man...just give, no matter how small an amount. Together we can facilitate change.
ShantiClaire
I've been a proud liberal for years, but you have turned me into a proud socialist. For me a night without The Last Word is far, far worse than a day without sunshine. Not only have I donated, but I put your link on Facebook, and many of my friends--even died-in-the-wool Republicans--have followed my lead. We were your fans even before we knew who you were. Not only did we watch and enjoy every episode of West Wing, we bought the entire set of DVDs and know in advance what every character is going to do or say, but that doesn't keep us from watching them over and over. (We often find ourselves saying, "I hope President Obama saw this." You are so self-effacing that I doubt you will ever know the influence you have had in your mostly behind-the-scenes lifetime. All I can say is "THANK YOU for being you!æ
The UNICEF K.I.N.D. program and your show "The Last Word" was brought to my attention by my brother, Ron Ellison, who is the teacher at Jim Thorpe High School that had his students sit on the floor one day after he saw your segment about the schools in Malawi. I certainly am very proud of my brother and what he and his students are doing - fundraising for K.I.N.D. I am a member of a Junior Woman's Club and we held a pretzel/water sale fundraiser at our recent Club 4th & 5th grade community spelling bee to raise money for this project! Kudos to you and MSNBC for bringing this to the attention of everyone!
Rhonda, Merchantville, NJ