In Kershaw County, Lugoff-Elgin middle schoolers are in the spirit of giving back. Students worked together to donate more than 1,000 books to kids in the Philippines.
Philippine native Kristine Adams and seventh grade teacher at LEMS, organized the book drive. Adams says it is her love of reading that gave her an opportunity to teach in America.
"It just truly, truly warms my heart because English is not my first language. But my love for reading started when I was little and inadvertently, it opened the door for me to come to this country and teach a language that was shaped through the power and love of reading."
Adams says children there, especially to the recipient schools, are children of farmers and very humble people, and the only way to get out of poverty in the Philippines is to get an education.
"They come with nothing on their backs but a will and drive and love to learn."
Adams thanks the Kershaw County School District and past mentors for all she has accomplished.