When America’s first confirmed case of Ebola was diagnosed last month in Dallas, many Houstonians sat up and took notice, as that north-Texas city is located only about 240 miles away.

But students at HISD’s Jones Futures Academy have turned their alarm into action by launching a “Wipe Out” campaign to collect hand sanitizer, bleach, antibiotic wet wipes, gloves, and antibacterial soaps for shipment to Liberia, one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa.

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The students were inspired by a visit from Michael Wotorson, a former advisor to the Liberian president, who came to the campus on Oct. 31 to give a presentation on the state of healthcare education. Jones was selected in part because it offers a health science pathway through its Futures Academy.

“We are a global society,” said Principal Geovanny Ponce, “and having a threat like Ebola so close to home really showed students how connected the world is. Now they understand that by helping citizens of another country combat the spread of this deadly disease, we are actually helping everyone on the planet.”

Citizens who wish to make a donation to the drive can drop off any of the above-mentioned items at either Jones Futures Academy (7414 St. Lo, 77033) or Hartman Middle School (7111 Westover, 77087) through Friday, Nov. 21.

Wotorson’s visit was coordinated by the U.S. National Committee for UN Women, which is also sponsoring the shipment of the collected materials to a medical institution in Liberia.