CNN Hero speaks in Barnum Hall

Samo’s Jacaranda Club hosted a question and answer session on Nov. 22 with CNN Hero and Jacaranda school founder Marie da Silva, where the inspirational woman spoke of her struggles and accomplishments.Malawi-born Da Silva started the Jacaranda School in 2001.Following her nephew’s death in 1994 from AIDS, she lost 13 more family members, including her father, to the disease. When her mother, who was still living in Malawi at the time, informed da Silva that a school in her hometown was shutting down, she decided to make a difference. Using money she had saved up from her work as a nanny, she started a school in her childhood home. Forty-eight children began attending her makeshift school in 2001.In 2008, she was awarded the prestigious CNN Heroes Award for her work with AIDS and education in Malawi.“My parents believe in education. My mother was a farmer and she saved every penny. My parents worked so hard so that I could have a choice to be whatever I wanted to be. I believe the chance I am giving the kids to go to college will help them change the future of Malawi,” da Silva said.Many of the school’s students are orphans, and some were dropping out because they were too hungry. Da Silva solved this problem by giving every student breakfast and lunch. This is especially important for the 26 students living with AIDS, transferred to them before birth. They need nutritious meals so they can be strong enough to handle the necessary medicine.The school has grown to over 400 children; 90 percent of these are orphans. The donations da Silva received from winning the CNN Heroes Award helped her build a secondary school as well as start art classes and a music program at the original school. The library — which started as a pantry with 11 books — now holds over 6000. 14 graduates from the school have gone to college, including a student who is now studying in Pasadena.The Jacaranda Club at Samo has also made a huge difference. Through garage sales, school supply drives and other projects, they have raised over 1500 dollars to help fund da Silva’s school.“The determination of kids to be in school is why I do what I do. My mission is a success because I believe in it; I have faith in. The best thing to do is to reach out to your community — not necessarily Africa, but your city, your life — and make a difference,” da Silva said.Olivia LeganStaff Writerolegan@thesamohi.com