A Birthday-Sized Donation

Katz Kadlic has a rare gift that cannot be taught. A Wellington School Middle School student opting for SWB donations, rather than receiving birthday presents, has set a new standard for young adolescents. Being an alumnus from The Wellington School (Columbus, OH), I am aware of the bright future the students behold, including their potential to become philanthropists. However, this seems to be the first time hearing of such a strong-willed young individual, to think, “out-of-the-box”.

I happened to run into Katz and his family at the Columbus International Airport, prior to boarding my plane to Uganda (in November). I had a brief opportunity to inform them on what SWB’s mission was and the tasks I would be assigned while here. From what the Kadlic family heard, Katz felt inspired enough to follow what I was doing here, all stemming from his love for the beautiful game.

Pitching an endearing argument to his close peers, while favoring donations rather than presents, Katz was able to raise a generous three hundred dollars. Sacrificing his birthday presents to help the kids here (in Nsambya) did not come as a significant surprise to me. Having coached him at summer soccer camps, he seemed quite keen on making sure others around him were having more fun than he was. Near the end of his birthday celebration, Katz and his friends composed a very thoughtful and colorful note commending my work here. Folding up the note, along with the noble donation, he made sure the valuables were in my mom’s possession prior to her visit here, a few weeks back.

Katz requested that the money go towards what was needed the most – ultimately decided by the interns and local staff. Following our new acquisition of the office space next to the Nsambya youth center as our new classroom, a recent coach’s meeting was spent compiling a list of items the new space needed. Based on priority and what is deemed as essential, a filing cabinet, chairs, bench-tables, and a white board highlight the list the SWB staff feels is key to making our new space complete and marvelous.

Thanks to one young bright-minded adolescent, the Nsambya site is fortunate enough to make some much-needed modifications, so our youth can enjoy an enhanced learning environment. Katz’s story is one to be shared with the greater youth, as he has raised the standard for fortunate unselfish youth everywhere.