São Paulo Students Raise R$80,000 and Will Fly to India for Math Competition

10/22/2015 - 10h13

Students from a state college in São Paulo have managed to raise R$80,000 (US$20,285) through online crowdfunding in order to participate in an international mathematics and science competition, due to take place in India next month.

The group had aimed to reach the target by the end of the month, but ended up achieving it on Tuesday (20).

The seven are students at the Martin Luther King technical college in Tatuapé, in the east of São Paulo. They were invited to the competition after winning the gold medal in the International Mathématiques sans Frontières competition, organized by an institution linked to the French Ministry of Education.

To raise the money, the students have even been asking drivers for change at traffic lights. The money raised will pay for their entry fees, plus airfares for the group and three adults.

Despite having achieved their goal, the fundraising will continue. According to Roberto William Miguel, father of one of the students, the idea is to help another group, from the Profa. Doutora Doroti Quiomi Kanashiro Toyohara technical college in Pirituba, in the north of São Paulo, who have also been invited to compete.

Miguel says that a Canadian businessman also offered to cover part of their travel costs. If this occurs, the value of the donation will be given to the students from Pirituba, who are still short by around R$44,000 (US $11,156).

Two teachers will accompany the group, should they reach their target of R$70,000 (US $17,750).

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

Read the article in the original language