Ted Tambakis was on a search.
Weary of the constant sniping and griping of social media, the Ojai Valley School associate director of admissions found himself at the start of the year dedicated to making a positive change through social media.
Stumbling upon a post featuring Gambian laborer Sambou Dampha and his life in extreme poverty, Mr. Tambakis struck up a conversation, unknowingly igniting a match that would burn into a vibrant friendship.
The two have now been talking almost everyday, through Instagram, for the last three months. They’ve learned about one another and shared their stories, finding similarities in their lives and exploring their differences.
“I feel I can learn a great deal about him from having circumstances that are much more difficult than my own,” Mr. Tambakis said. “We’ve really built up an individual connection with each other, which I think is something really, really neat.”
Mr. Dampha, 23, is the oldest of 14 children and stepped up when his father died to be his family’s primary caregiver.
The family lives in extreme poverty and has to navigate the world not only for himself but for his whole family — no easy feat in The Gambia, where work is extremely hard to come by, and men like Mr.Dampha find themselves searching for and accepting any job that pays.
This usually included grueling physical labor.
To ease the intense need for resources, Mr. Dampha accepts donations through his Instagram. He mainly receives things like clothes, shippable food, and sponsorships. Mr. Tambakis decided that he too would help his newfound friend, and asked Mr. Dampha and his family what they needed the most.
The answer: a horse and cart, explaining how these items would make them more self-sufficient and open a floodgate of opportunity within their family and village located in The Gambia, a small West African country.
The horse and cart were priced at $1,500, which for Mr.Tambakis alone was a tall order.
Mr. Tambakis decided to turn his personal project into an OVS community project. After bringing it up to the community it did not take long before teachers and students jumped at the opportunity to make a change.
At the OVS Lower Campus, the 8 IT advisory run by middle school Spanish teacher Marcia Thacher and science teacher Matthew Inman brainstormed with both their students and Mr.Tambakis, and decided to hold a carwash and establish a Go Fund Me to raise the money for the horse and cart.
“It all lined up perfectly with my own personal goal of seeing if I can use Social Media to connect with people on a more human level,” Mr.Tambakis said.
The car wash recently took place on Saturday, March 14. The goal was to raise $500 at the car wash and the rest through the GO Fund Me.
They raised nearly $2,000 at the car wash alone, receiving help from Upper Campus students Jean-Michel Lin-Hurtubise, Eli Roston, Dylan Hamilton-West, and Jocelyn Gonzalez.
“I think the best way to describe the 8 IT levels of commitment to this event is, “All In!”,” said Mr. Inman, who, along with his advisory, took a particular pride in helping Mr. Dampha and his village.
Beyond helping Mr. Dampha and his family, the act of kindness is becoming more and more impactful within the OVS community.
In early February the OVS community lost the beloved Shetland pony Westin, who had been part of the equestrian program for 30 years.
Every student who passed through the elementary riding program or who spent time in the barn cherished the fun spirited and sometimes grumpy Westin. 
Mr. Tambakis had the idea of naming this the Westin Project, and asked Mr. Dampha if he would be willing to name his future horse after Westin.
“We’re coming together to remember Westin, who brought so much joy to so many kids over so many years, and although we mourn Westin,” Mr. Tambakis said. “On the other side of the world he will still bring that joy to others.”
After telling Mr. Dampha about Westin, the car wash and the OVS community Mr.Dampha was beyond grateful.
“I’m so sorry for the death of [the] beloved horse Westin and we will be so glad to name our horse Westin, such a beautiful name,” Mr. Dampha said.
Mr. Tambakis and the teachers are also taking this opportunity to teach the students about the world through Mr. Dampha and his family, introducing topics of poverty and the very different lives people lead, in comparison to their own.
Mr. Tambakis spoke to the entirety of the middle school and showed them pictures and videos that Mr. Dampha had posted on his Instagram or sent to him directly. 
As the future continues to unfold, Mr. Tambakis and Mr. Dampha are determined continue their friendship, and to strengthen the ties between OVS and Mr. Dampha’s family.
The Westin project has been an opportunity for the OVS community to come together to enact change, mourn and honor our lost friend, educate and most importantly help others in need.
“We can feel your love deep in our hearts,” Mr.Dampha said. “And we thank you.”