Orinda Eagle Scout's Global Project Brings Much-Needed Emails to Namibian Schoolchildren

Tuhafeni, in his village learning about herbal supplements

Orinda,CA: In a remarkable blend of local initiative and global impact, Orinda youth Tad Latner is gaining attention for his unique Eagle Scout project designed to boost the spirits and connect schoolchildren in Namibia with the broader world. During a community service trip in his junior year aimed at bolstering his college applications, Tad was struck by the plight of local children equipped with email accounts by Global Connections, a non-governmental agency, looking to connect children in developing countries with the rest of the world. Tad saw that the students had email accounts but were receiving no email. “It was like dude, what’s the point?” stated Tad in an interview with the LocalTattler.

Moved by the sight of empty inboxes, Tad devised a plan back home in Orinda to ensure these children felt more connected. He collected the email addresses of students from the village he visited and enlisted the help of ten friends, who each received a $10 Jamba Juice gift card for their efforts. Their task? To redirect their spam emails to the inboxes of the Namibian students, filling their previously empty mail slots with various messages—from multi-level marketing pitches to notices about herbal supplements. “I never knew I could change the world with a $100 and some spam email. They gave me spam, so I made Spam-aid,(1) ” stated Tad.

The project has resulted in hundreds of emails being sent to the students daily, providing them with curious and often irrelevant information but achieving the project's goal of letting them experience a bustling digital life. Tuhafeni, a local student whose name means "let's be happy together" in his dialect, shared his excitement about the influx. "I got an email from a Nigerian Prince who needs help. I offered to send him a kid goat that I found in the bush. I am still waiting for his response. I worry about his safety." he said.

Critics of the project label it as a form of digital imperialism, trivializing severe global disparities. However, supporters, including Assistant Scout Leader Phillis Green, see it as a harmless way to broaden the horizons of these students. "Some people are generally unhappy about anything," Green remarked, dismissing the criticism.

While unconventional, Tad's project underscores a creative approach to fostering global connections, making it one of the most impactful Eagle Scout projects. It opens up a dialogue about the ethics of digital communication and the unseen impacts of well-meaning initiatives.

Footnote:

1) Spam-aide is protected by copywriter laws by Tadco LLC. Any use of the term Spam-aid, must be approved by Tad first.