Students at Atlanta’s Sarah Smith Elementary School raised thousands of dollars to support environmental and literacy programs in South Africa.

The fund-raising was part of a week-long immersion in South African history, culture and geography last month, culminating in a day-long celebration including dancing, learning how to box like Nelson Mandela, face-painting and mining for gold.

The program, one component of a year-long global education effort, was funded by the school’s PTA and foundation.

“It really is an exceptional program that is 100-percent parent driven,” PTA communications chair Kimberley Simms wrote. “It is such a rich cultural experience for them and a wonderful education that opens their eyes and hearts to other countries around the globe.”

Keep Reading

The DeKalb County Board of Education gave Norman Sauce III a one-year contract to serve as its interim superintendent. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC