In case you missed it, this is an entirely independent project started about two months ago by a 12-year-old kid named Gabriel.  His mom, my dear friend, has done a lot of work in Botswana helping the schools there develop or enhance their special education programs to help kids with disabilities.  Gabriel has accompanied her on several trips there, and he was disturbed by the fact that the school where she was helping had about 50 kids with disabilities, but only one very small classroom that could hold about three or four students at a time.  As his mom was meeting with the head teacher, he asked about this, and it was explained that they didn't have the money to build a classroom big enough for all the students.  He asked if he could raise the money and his mom and the teacher told him to go for it.  

Gabriel has done fundraisers at his school and elsewhere, and more recently he started a Gofundme page.  He has now raised enough to build the classroom and buy the necessary furniture.  He's in Botswana right now getting the construction started!  

Gabriel is a violinist, and when he played for the kids there, they were enthralled.  With his mom's help, he connected with an NGO that develops music programs in schools.  He's now working to raise additional funds to completely supply the classroom with school supplies and musical instruments.  

Sadly, during the middle of this project, Gabriel's father passed away unexpectedly, so he has decided to dedicate the classroom in his dad's memory.  His mom said that working on this is really keeping his spirits up.

It's not too late to contribute to this amazing kiddo's project, and every little bit helps!  

https://www.gofundme.com/gabriels-botswana-classroom

Update and pics from his mom today:  "Today's progress: Gabriel pays a local contractor for the labor costs, footers are filled with gravel, and cement is delivered to building site. Tomorrow the face brick will be delivered."