Students Raise Money to Help Zambian Babies

Students Raise Money to Help Zambian Babies

On more than one occasion, we have written about our Milk Formula Program, and how it helps babies when moms are not able to nurse their children. This time, we want to recognize one special group of donors that have contributed to this program – Saskatchewan school students.

1. The students at Balcarres Community School in Saskatchewan, Canada have made a wonderful donation. Led by the Junior SLT, the K-6 students, a few high school students, and the staff participated in a fundraiser that involved filling baby bottles with coins. Each class was given one baby bottle, and the students donated coins, attempting to fill their baby bottles as many times as possible. In the end, $918.42 was donated. This included 15,600 pennies, and the total weight of the coins was more than160 pounds. Balcarres teacher, Katy Hillier, visited Zambia in July 2010 as part of a small education team organized by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada. It was during her visit that she learned of the need for more donations to the Milk Formula Program.

Great work, Balcarres Community School! Your help is much appreciated by Zambia Mission Fund-Canada and by several Zambian families, but especially by babies who are happy and healthy.

2. Sarah Slywka, a grade 5 teacher at Balgonie Elementary School, also visited Zambia in 2010, participating in the education mission. After returning to her classroom in Balgonie, Mrs. Slywka shared much of her experience with her students who became excited about learning about the lives of children in Zambia. Mrs. Slywka’s grade 5 class has partnered up with a grade 7 class at Good Hope Christian Community School. These two classes are now learning about each others lives by writing letters back and forth. Jack, a grade 7 student who lives with us, is one of the students involved in this partnership. He has enjoyed receiving and sending letters. When we return home in June, we will carry with us a parcel of letters from the Zambia students.

Two of the grade 5 girls in Mrs. Slywka’s class took their learning to the next level during the winter months. After hearing about the need for donations for the Milk Program, the girls decided to get involved and to make a difference. They raised money by shovelling sidewalks. When their mission was completed, they had raised $160.00. Great Work Girls! The world becomes a better place when people decided to get involved with helping others.

Thank you to the students at both schools for your help in providing milk formula for Zambian babies.