Last year, our school raised money for a well to be dug in Sierra Leone. By collecting small change (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters), we were able to raise more than $1,700 to make a BIG change! The money will be used to dig a well that will be regularly treated and sanitized to ensure children and families will have access to clean drinking water.
This week, we have read about the importance of clean water around the world, and the effects that water scarcity has on humans. We have been shocked, and saddened, by what we have learned. Did you know that more people die from diarrhea caused by unsafe water than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined?
On Monday, we had an incredible opportunity to have a guest speaker. Samuel Menyongar is a principal from Sierra Leone, in the area where "our" well will be dug, called Konde Farm. The money will be sent to this through a charity called Touch the Nations, based out of Omaha. Mr. Samuel, as the kids called him, spoke to us about life in his home country, which included some discussion of the access to water, home lives, and what school is like. We were also able to hear a little about his personal background, which includes some heartbreaking stories about his escape from Liberia during their civil war as well as the diamond conflicts still going on in his adopted country. Samuel has been in the US since July - he came to do some speaking engagements, and has been stuck here since the Ebola outbreak.
We were so lucky to hear his perspective and to learn from a person who has experienced so much first-hand. He was thrilled with our donation - and we were able to present him with a check directly. We also made a giant fake check, because that's more fun to give! Our students made a sign with their thumbprints for Konde Farm school, which Samuel will take back and hang in a classroom.
Mr. Samuel talked to our students about a famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi that says, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The kids took that to heart and were asking Samuel what sort of things we could do to help improve their way of life even more. We are proud of their giving hearts and can't wait to see what kind of changes they are able to make in the future!
Be sure to check out the student blogs to read about their reflections on this amazing experience!
This week, we have read about the importance of clean water around the world, and the effects that water scarcity has on humans. We have been shocked, and saddened, by what we have learned. Did you know that more people die from diarrhea caused by unsafe water than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined?
On Monday, we had an incredible opportunity to have a guest speaker. Samuel Menyongar is a principal from Sierra Leone, in the area where "our" well will be dug, called Konde Farm. The money will be sent to this through a charity called Touch the Nations, based out of Omaha. Mr. Samuel, as the kids called him, spoke to us about life in his home country, which included some discussion of the access to water, home lives, and what school is like. We were also able to hear a little about his personal background, which includes some heartbreaking stories about his escape from Liberia during their civil war as well as the diamond conflicts still going on in his adopted country. Samuel has been in the US since July - he came to do some speaking engagements, and has been stuck here since the Ebola outbreak.
We were so lucky to hear his perspective and to learn from a person who has experienced so much first-hand. He was thrilled with our donation - and we were able to present him with a check directly. We also made a giant fake check, because that's more fun to give! Our students made a sign with their thumbprints for Konde Farm school, which Samuel will take back and hang in a classroom.
Mr. Samuel talked to our students about a famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi that says, "Be the change you want to see in the world." The kids took that to heart and were asking Samuel what sort of things we could do to help improve their way of life even more. We are proud of their giving hearts and can't wait to see what kind of changes they are able to make in the future!
Be sure to check out the student blogs to read about their reflections on this amazing experience!