Mrs. Weske has spent her summers working as an international mountain guide since 2012. Her employer also operates a non-profit that cares for children, adults and families with special needs and/or life-changing medical obstacles. Naturally, she has become involved in these efforts, helping to build an orphanage, medical and dental clinic, and women's support center. In 2022, they partnered with the nonprofit Hope to Walk to build a Prosthetic Center in Arusha, Tanzania. Ms. Weske was so moved by this work, she introduced their mission to her Healthy & Active Lifestyles students through participation in a virtual 5K fundraiser. Her students have become so invested in making a difference that they raised $750 dollars this year. That is enough to give three people the ability to walk through the use of prosthetic limbs!
Millions of amputees worldwide depend on wheelchairs and crutches, or even crawling, simply because commercial prosthetics ($10,000 - $25,000) are completely out of reach. Hope To Walk’s legs are locally produced, using available materials, for only $250. This was a wonderful opportunity to inspire young learners to care about global health initiatives while changing lives.