UW student creates board game for children in refugee camp
UW student creates board game for children in refugee camp
UW student creates board game for children in refugee camp
By A.J. Bayatpour
October 18, 2020
Summary
MADISON - Joel Baraka can only imagine how much more challenging the COVID-19 pandemic has made learning in the Ugandan refugee camp in which he grew up.
It prompted him to start a fundraiser to cover the costs of mass producing the board game he created for children in the camp.
With the help of the construction firm where he interned over the summer, Baraka said he was able to meet and surpass his goal of raising $10,000 for the Kyangwali refugee camp.
Baraka said, while growing up in the camp, he developed a passion for education because of conversations with his mother.
Baraka said he began to develop the concept of his idea for the board game, called 'The 5 STA-Z.' The game envelops five different subjects, including English, math, and social studies.
Baraka said the game, which includes up to five players, is ideal for the camp since it allows kids to break up into much-needed small groups.
During his time in the office, Dunn said Baraka made an impression - he did everything from watering the lawn to putting together the new front desk - so she said she didn't hesitate when he mentioned his effort to raise money for the Kyangwali camp.
The company then matched that total, bringing Baraka to and beyond his $10,000 goal.
"The company played a big role," Baraka said.
Baraka said the money he's raised so far will help hire an additional 20 counselors for the camp and produce an additional 200 sets of the 5 STA-Z game.
Reference
Bayatpour, A. (2020, October 19). UW student creates board game for children in refugee camp. Retrieved October 25, 2020, from https://wkow.com/2020/10/18/uw-student-creates-board-game-for-children-in-refugee-camp/