On September 20, 2023, we welcomed Richard Nesbit as our speaker. Richard is involved in the Carolina Human Reinvestment Project of Pawleys Island, where he spends a lot of time working in their Community Garden.  Richard also runs a small non-profit organization that helps kids in Africa who cannot afford to attend school. He shared video footage of some of his trips to Africa to see the students and schools he helps sponsor.  His efforts are focused on Uganda, where education is very expensive.

Richard told us about how he started his non-profit. Several years ago, he heard from a Ugandan student named John who reached out to him on Facebook Messenger. John told him about the war going on in his village. Things were so bad, John had no hope of continuing his education. Richard decided to set up a GoFundMe and raised 1000 dollars for John’s secondary education. John got his diploma and ended up going to university!

Richard shared his photos and videos of Uganda. We saw a beautiful countryside with small villages where Ugandans farm and try to make extra money the best they can. The children are very well dressed when they go to school because they respect the institution. Richard told us that they love school and even hang out there on Saturdays to see their friends.

Richard’s non-profit has now helped about 24 students. He never expected to be helping kids in Africa who cannot afford school but that is the way his life turned out. Richard’s talk was a remainder that we have no idea what life has in store for us or what may be asked of us one day. Thank you, Richard, for coming and speaking to us.

By Gracin