Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

AverageOldGuy

(3,243 posts)
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 11:10 PM 15 hrs ago

It's about school desks and scholarships for girls

I'm certain that a lot of folks here watch Lawrence O'Donnell and no doubt you have heard him talking about his charity -- administered through UNICEF -- "KIND -- Kids In Need of Desks." The idea is that kids in Malawi don't have desks in schools -- they sit on the floor. This is especially difficult for girls who typically wear skirts and, well, you know the rest.

So Lawrence asks his viewers to donate to KIND so desks can be manufactured in Malawi then given to schools. One desk seats two kids.

On tonight's show Lawrence showed video of a shipment of desks being delivered, unloaded by the kids, and set up in their classroom. The desks came wrapped in plastic -- the kids saved the plastic wrapping material and took home to be use for whatever -- we would have tossed the plastic into a landfill.

If you are not aware of KIND, check it out.
https://www.unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/childrens-education/kids-need-desks-kind

Five years ago we sat down our grandsons who were 13 and 10 at the time, showed them a Lawrence video, then told them that from now on at Christmas, we were now donating, in their names, two desks a year ($316) and one 4-year high school scholarship for a girl ($1,060; high school is not free so most girls drop out before high school). They seemed to understand the idea but were "Well, okay, Grandpa, that's good" about it.

Tonight they were visiting us when I was watching Lawrence and they watched the video of desks arriving, unloading, set up. Now at 18 and 15 their reactions were entirely different -- "Grandpa, can't we give more desks? Just don't give us any Christmas presents, we don't need anything. " So we are donating four desks this year, six next year and two scholarships a year.

And I thought the only things they were interested in is video games and girls.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
It's about school desks and scholarships for girls (Original Post) AverageOldGuy 15 hrs ago OP
Thank you for the reminder about the KIND program. niyad 15 hrs ago #1
I watched it tonight, too. Last week he had a report on it and it got me moving and your response is fantastic Deuxcents 14 hrs ago #2
Your Kids raised their kids right. Figarosmom 13 hrs ago #3
My heart swelled to hear of your grandsons reaction. summer_in_TX 13 hrs ago #4
I read the title line BidenRocks 13 hrs ago #5
ExtraordinaryOldGuy n/t BaronChocula 13 hrs ago #6
We have donated to this fund since the first time we saw... 3catwoman3 12 hrs ago #7

niyad

(129,070 posts)
1. Thank you for the reminder about the KIND program.
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 11:14 PM
15 hrs ago

Your grandchildren sound like truly wonderful young people.

Deuxcents

(25,157 posts)
2. I watched it tonight, too. Last week he had a report on it and it got me moving and your response is fantastic
Tue Dec 9, 2025, 11:25 PM
14 hrs ago

What a beautiful example you have been to your grandsons and their reactions to the report tonight must have been so special..a validation of your kindness and a great gift for them. And inspiring for us 🌺

Figarosmom

(9,395 posts)
3. Your Kids raised their kids right.
Wed Dec 10, 2025, 12:51 AM
13 hrs ago

Congratulations that's something to be very proud of. 🌟

summer_in_TX

(3,978 posts)
4. My heart swelled to hear of your grandsons reaction.
Wed Dec 10, 2025, 12:56 AM
13 hrs ago

You must be so proud.

The kids are all right.

BidenRocks

(2,630 posts)
5. I read the title line
Wed Dec 10, 2025, 01:11 AM
13 hrs ago

What is the K.I.N.D. Fund Ken!

It's interesting watching the girls grow up.

3catwoman3

(28,394 posts)
7. We have donated to this fund since the first time we saw...
Wed Dec 10, 2025, 01:57 AM
12 hrs ago

…Lawrence talk about it. Good on you and your grandsons.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It's about school desks a...