Wembley Public School gets an A for its campaign to raise money to build a school in Kenya to educate some of the poorest children in the world.
"Wembley Public School presented a donation of $6,651.50 to Free the Children," said principal Colleen McDonald. "We are so proud of the dedicated and compassionate students who attend our school. They are global citizens who care about the world in which they live and want to give others hope for the future."
The Free the Children fundraising drive began last spring when Grade 4 teacher Stephanie Brunette attended a workshop called "The Power of Young People to Change the World."
"I was so inspired that I couldn't wait to return to my school and share this message of empowerment with staff and students," she said. "We proposed the idea of raising funds to build a school in Kenya at an assembly last April. The students were quick to step up to the plate and we just ran with it. Here we are, a year later, and our dream has become a reality."
A Free the Children leadership committee was formed and students began to map out a year's worth of fundraising activities and community events. They gathered donations through a piggy bank collection, casual Fridays, Christmas caroling, Halloween for Hunger, a school fun fair, a talent show and the sale of wristbands.
"Right from the outset, our students were energized," said principal McDonald. "They were focused and worked diligently to achieve the goal at hand. They not only reached but surpassed their target of $6,000, raising enough money to build the school and purchase some blackboards and desks."
Rainbow District School Board chair Judy Hunda commended the Wembley Public School students, staff and community on their outstanding accomplishment.
"Young people do indeed have the power to change the world," she said.
