Nefeli-Sofia Stefopoulou, a high school student from Greece, is one of ten winners at the worldwide Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change competition.
Her remarkable work on Project LINC, whose aim is to solve the contamination and lack of water problem faced in several African schools, made her stand out as one of the most aspiring young scientists.
When she and her classmates in Greece got to know a class in Kenya via Skype, they learned a pipe had burst in the African school, and coordinated an effort to help the students access water that wasn’t contaminated.
Stefopoulou, who donated seven water filters which have already been installed in two Kenyan schools, providing drinking water to at least 500 children, wants to devote her life to raising money to provide more water filters for African schools.
The student who recently turned 18, feels being chosen as a Challenge for Change winner is the best present and “a dream come true”.
“I feel blessed because I can help these people who do not even have access to clean water,” said Stefopoulou.
The competition involved high school or college students and graduates from across the world who were invited to contribute their ideas on how they could bring positive change in both their local community as well as the world.
The winners will each receive $2,500 to kick-start their projects, a Windows Phone and the chance to serve as a Microsoft YouthSpark advocate, along with a leadership development trip to Nicaragua that promises an unforgettable experience doing hands-on volunteer work.
The contest, in its third year, drew thousands of entries from teens and young adults in more than 100 countries, and an online vote determined the 10 grand prize winners.
Source: Microsoft
