Enough to Spare

In spite of the national economic recession, citizens of Rexburg are finding a way to give back.

As an African history professor, Dr. David Pigott, a professor of African History, could spend his time reading and researching; instead, Pigott has decided to make a difference.

He founded Enough to Spare after visiting Uganda in 2005 and observing the construction of a library at Nkumba University.

Enough to Spare is a unique foundation that focuses on providing school fees and educating as many young people as possible in Uganda.

According to Pigott, an education is fundamental to the success of any nation and currently 42 percent of African youth do not have an opportunity to attend school.

When asked how he expects to make any difference when so many are in need, Piggott related the parable of the Starfish:

Once upon a time a grandfather took his grandson walking along the beach. As they walk along the beach the grandson notices many hundreds of Starfish drying up along the shore. He begins to toss them back into the ocean. After many hours of this, the Grandfather finally tells the grandson to give up because there is no way he can save the Starfish. The grandson then looks up and tells his grandfather “I can’t save them all, but I can save this one” as he tosses another into the ocean.

The main goal of Enough to Spare is to bring as much education to Africa as possible, one student at a time.

Sponsors of Enough to Spare pay about $250 for a whole year's worth of primary and secondary school education. However, Enough to Spare encourages donations of any size.

“[Education] starts not by governments, not the United Nations, not the World Bank or any multi-national. It starts one to one, on the personal level. This is where Enough to Spare comes in. We have trustworthy contacts in Uganda who oversee your donations towards paying for the education of orphaned, impoverished, and destitute children who otherwise would have no chance in life,” according to www.enoughtospare.org.

Enough to Spares name originates from Doctrine and Covenants 104:17, which says, “The Earth is full and there is enough to spare.” The foundation hopes to involve BYU–Idaho students as much as possible.

Along with a textbook donation drop box available at the entrance to the Joseph Fielding Smith Building, the foundation is currently holding a backpack drive. The charity is asking students to bring their used backpacks to the Smith Building, room 452, to help African children make school more productive. If possible, donate your used backpack full of school supplies (pencils, pens, markers, erasers, notebooks, etc.).