Southeast High school Senior Kyle Jewell has learned the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference.
"Just something as small as a $12 light was able to help someone achieve more, like go to college and receive academic success. It was really eye opening," Jewell said after a recent trip to Guatemala.
- Kyle Jewell among 20 students who went to Guatemala
- He wants to return, bring lights for students to study
- GoFundMe page if you'd like to help him
The Rotary Club of Manatee County paired with elementary, middle and high schools around the county, giving students an opportunity to make the trip.
Jewell was one of 20 people bringing school supplies to kids in need.
However, after hearing the students didn't have electricity, Jewell brought along some solar lights.
"One of the lights I gave was to a girl who was studying to go into college, but since they didn't have any electricity and it got dark so fast, she wasn't able to study so late," said Jewell.
After returning home from the trip, Jewell's idea expanded.
"I figured if we were able to get at least one light per household, then it would be able to help an enormous amount of families," he said.
Hoping to go back to the same village next year, Kyle's goal is to take as many lights as possible. He is enlisting his friends who saw firsthand how much the help is needed.
"They didn't have much books, they were limited on paper. Basically whatever we gave them was what they had," said Jake Combe.
Jewell hopes to raise $1,000 by next year's trip, which he estimates will light up at least 70 homes in the village and help hundreds of people.
To learn more you can click on the GoFund me account created by Jewell.
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