5th grade Ridgecrest student takes books to Uganda schools

Grady Lee, center, with 5th grade students in Uganda,
who are holding the book he brought them

Grady Lee, a fifth grade student at Ridgecrest Elementary school, traveled almost 9,000 miles to Luwero, Uganda to deliver three books to other fifth grade students. Grady and his family went to Uganda on spring break as volunteers with Teach the Children, a non-profit organization working to increase literacy and educational opportunities for children in Uganda. 

Ugandan 5th grader looks at a photo of Ridgecrest students

Before the trip, Grady's librarian and teacher helped him select the books that he would take to students in Uganda. His class then signed each book, and took photographs of them holding it. Grady was able to present the books directly to fifth grade classes at the three schools he visited. The students were excited to receive the books, and to see pictures and hear about Grady’s own school and classmates in the United States. 

Grady was also involved with other projects at the schools, and worked alongside other volunteers, building desks, chalkboards, and concrete floors, and providing much-needed textbooks and school supplies to teachers and students.

There was time to hang out and have fun
Green shirts are Teach the Children staff and volunteers,
including Grady Lee of Shoreline

It was a lot of work, but there was always time for play as well. Grady had the opportunity to sit in on a fifth grade class at one of the schools, and participated in their normal classroom instruction, even completing an assignment! He also made it a point to spend time with the kids – making friends, playing soccer, and teaching them how to play UNO. 

His experience was a once in a lifetime; it’s one that changed him – how he views the world, and his place in it.

More information about Teach the Children