Voices International - December 2005

Youth in the Media

Kids building schools for other kids:
Parade watchers will have a chance to contribute

November 25, 2005
The Pembroke Observer

By Tina Peplinskie
Staff Writer

Doing their part, a few dollars at a time.

During this Sunday’s Santa Claus Parade in Pembroke, [Ontario] members of the social justice awareness group at Bishop Smith High School will be collecting money to go towards the Brick by Brick campaign, through Free The Children.

  


The Group has [the] goal of raising $5,000 to build a school in Africa, but realizes it is going to take a long time to raise that amount.

The theme of the float is Give the Gift of Education.

The students had a chance to listen to Marc Kielburger of Free The Children during the Catholic school board’s Christian Community Day in October and were inspired to continue working on the project.

The work actually began two years ago, after a visit to Bishop Smith by Louise Kent of Free The Children. After hearing the message that everyone has a gift to give, the group was inspired to begin raising funds and awareness.

Raising the money for Africa school will be a gift from the students of Bishop Smith to the children of Africa. Many of the students were shocked to learn that 140 million children around the world have never been to school.

They are hoping to raise awareness on this global issue and they are hoping the people of Pembroke will give generously to the cause during the parade, said committee member Samantha Vaudry.

Students from Bishop Smith Catholic School in Pembroke, Ontario constructed a float with the theme "Give the Gift of Education" for their local Santa Claus Parade.
Through their creative float, the Bishop Smith students succeeded in raising awareness as well as funds towards building a school in Kenya. Additional fundraising efforts include having $1 of each ticket from their Christmas Formal go towards their Free The Children school.