The journey of one high school student’s quest to raise money for South Sudan, the world’s newest country
By Kiera Wright-Ruiz
“Do you guys know there’s a country called South Sudan?” Michael Morse asked his then eighth-grade class. “No, we don’t know anything about it,” they replied.
Ask the same question now to any student, or even an adult, and you’ll still probably receive the same response. But ask Morse, a 15-year-old high school freshman, and he’ll recite South Sudan’s history.
In many ways, Morse is a typical high school student. He’s currently enrolled in the Cambridge Program at Gainesville High School. He goes to church regularly. He loves playing golf, football and basketball. He likes hanging out with his friends. He finds studying tedious. But what sets Morse apart is his maturity, desire to learn and passion for helping others.
Those are the words of Jacob Atem, who co-founded the Southern Sudan Health Care Organization.
About a year ago, Morse began crafting woven bracelets to raise money and awareness for the organization, also known as SSHCO. His motto for the wrist accessory: Tying the world together one knot at a time.
“We’re just trying to tie in South Sudan and, if we can, other countries that have the same exact problems going on,” Morse said. “And bring it to the people who don’t know or have the power to make a difference.”
Morse has sold more than 300 bracelets at $5 a piece. He’s the youngest contributor to a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a safer South Sudan through healthcare and education.
Morse started his altruistic ways back in middle school. In seventh grade, a charity called Invisible Children caught his attention, but he was truly inspired by the impact his church’s missions had on developing countries.
“Maybe I could make a difference [too],” he recalled. “Africa just popped into my mind as a whole continent. But I was really looking for the countries that needed the help a lot. That’s what took me to Southern Sudan.”
His most-successful event was last year’s Art Festival at Thornebrook. He surpassed his goal of $800, raising $960.
“It was one of the biggest events for me to really realize how much of a difference I can make,” he said. “That event was really what started everything.”
Through Morse’s direct contributions from the festival, he helped aid the SSHCO’s most ambitious goal, a health clinic in the Village of Maar. The project was officially completed in October 2011, but Morse’s donations helped create a job for a woman in the clinic and paid for 200 pairs of glasses for people who otherwise wouldn’t have had access them, said Bonnie Morse, Michael’s mother.
Over the past year, Atem and Morse have developed a strong friendship. Although Atem is nearly twice Morse’s age, they have bonded over their devotion to the organization and eagerness to learn about each other’s culture. One of their best memories together is going to Disney World. It was Atem’s first time.
“It’s not about the volunteer hours. It’s not about [looking better] for college,” Morse explained. “It’s [about] something I can do to help others, while encouraging more students to get involved.”
Morse even met the ambassador of South Sudan while he was visiting Gainesville. During his stay, Atem kept the ambassador’s two-day visit jam-packed with meetings and lunches. He made it a point to introduce him to people who are making a difference to SSHCO.
“How many 15-year-olds are talking about changing the world?” Atem asked. “It was inspiring not only me, but the ambassador was like, ‘Wow, this kid here has learned about South Sudan, and he has no affiliation.’”
What began as an interest for one boy has spread to the entire Morse family. They host bracelet-making parties to boost morale and get more work done. Both of Morse’s parents are now board members of SSHCO. And recently the family has begun a new project to grow moringa, a plant that’s rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. They plan to work with Atem to provide the plant to his village and healthcare clinic.
After high school, Morse hopes to attend the University of Notre Dame and become an aerospace engineer. Until then, he plans to keep doing whatever he can to help South Sudan.
“Just remember me,” a smiling Atem said to his friend, “when you become the president of the United States.”
To learn more about the program or get involved, please visit www.sshco.org.