A Lacombe man is attempting to build an educational bridge between schools in Lacombe and schools in Ukraine and Uganda.
Warren Kreway’s Through the Eyes of the Children foundation helps students with bursaries and scholarships, giving them equal education opportunities.
During his recent trip to Lviv, Ukraine, Kreway and Lacombe Composite High School student Chase Bailey, brought four robots from the LCHS robotics club to four different schools in the city.
“There (the schools are) about 50 years behind us in technology and when we showed them how to a build robot, I had girl students coming up and asking me if they could become engineers in Canada,” said Kreway.
As part of the foundation, Kreway and LCHS students have started a mentorship program to mentor students in Ukraine on robotics.
More than 400 students are involved in Lacombe and Ukraine.
Kreway, who has sponsored children in Uganda for about 30 years, is visiting the country on Dec. 14 to meet the son of a man he sponsored. He decided to include Uganda in his vision.
“I’ve connected with a school over there and I’ll be taking a robot with me. I’ll also be spending Christmas at an orphanage,” said Kreway.
“Orphans in Africa can’t go to school because they don’t have the money, but if they can get through their primary years the government will actually pay for their university or college. It’s just tough for them to get to that point.”
Kreway has been fundraising through his church and the Lacombe Rotary and Kinsmen Club. Not only does he plan on helping students abroad, he wants to help students in Lacombe.
For every student who applies for a scholarship, there are 20 students who don’t have the resources, said Kreway.
“Even if they’re not achieving high marks in school, they’re still good students who just need a little hand-up.”
Semi-retired, Kreway said he wouldn’t want to spend his time doing anything else.
“When I look into the eyes of these kids, whether it’s in the Ukraine, Uganda or here in Lacombe, I see them looking back at me and saying thank you,” said Kreway.
jonathan.guignard@www.reddeeradvocate.com