Cause & Effect

Like mother, like daughters. High-schoolers Ilana Wolstein and Shannon and Nikki Leavitt traveled to Malawi, the second poorest country in the world, with their moms, Jillian Wolstein and Lori Leavitt, who are deeply involved with the H.E.L.P. Malawi foundation, founded by Wolstein.

Visiting Africa was a defining experience for Shannon, 17. “I never imagined what life was like for children born in a third-world country like Malawi,” says the Orange High School junior. “We met, and we were determined to help them obtain some basic necessities like good healthcare, a proper diet, and educational opportunities.”

Shannon and her buddies have organized a rock and roll fundraiser for the Nanhomba School in Malawi and the new H.E.L.P. Malawi Clinic. The party for high-schoolers will feature music by DJ MomJeans n aka actor Danny Masterson of “That ’70s Show.”

“What’s so great is that many of our friends are pitching in to make sure the fundraiser is a success so we can raise a lot of money for such a worthwhile cause.” says Shannon.