Syed Raza, a senior at Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs and founder of the school’s Save Africa Club, thanks his history lessons for waking up his conscience.

“Last year, I took a lot of history courses. That opened my eyes,” Raza said. “I became a lot more global. I became a lot more aware of things happening in other parts of the world. I knew I had to act.”

Carrying an idea to form a club that would support efforts to make life easier for sick and homeless people in Africa, Raza met Roxanne Brisset, his advanced placement world history teacher in 10th grade.

“She told me it wouldn’t be easy to make a club work, but she had faith in me,” Raza said. “I was determined to make it work. The club was formed last year. Initially it was difficult to get members, but attendance at our meetings has picked up of late.”

On Jan. 23, the club will organize a walk-a-thon around the school track to raise funds for Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. The event will take place during their seventh period class. Students who purchase a $3 ticket will be allowed to take part.

“It is not just about raising funds,” Raza said. “It is about creating awareness among fellow students about a pressing global problem. We hope to have at least 400 students at the walk-a-thon. We have only 15 members now, but that does not discourage me at all. We have another fundraiser planned this year.”