When students at Lochiel U-Connect saw photos of a roofless orphanage in Tecate, Mexico, they knew they had to do something.
The leadership students got into groups and brainstormed to come up with fundraising initiatives.
Each of the twelve groups was challenged to develop their own creative ideas to raise money for the orphanage which is located close to the Mexican-U.S. border.
Leadership teacher Tracey Thorne commented that teachers “try to teach students that while one person may not be able to make a huge difference, collectively we can make the world a better place.”
She added: “While a few dollars may not change our lives, it can change the lives of others.”
Thorne said that educators try to teach students that as they broaden their world they need to not only include their community, but other countries and communities in them.
“A simple, positive gesture can have such an impact on others,” she said.
The orphanage for boys does not have a roof, and it will cost approximately $5,000 to build one, Thorne said.
She expected the students’ efforts would raise about $500, and was astonished that they raised $3,000.
“They’ve gone above and beyond our expectations,” said Thorne, who teamed with teacher Leanne Huston on the project.
The students’ fundraising projects included a pizza day, bake sales, the sale of Purdy’s chocolate hearts for Valentine’s Day, auctioning tickets for the Canadian National Women Soccer Team’s Olympic qualifying games, Canadian National Soccer Team midfielder Julian de Guzman’s team jersey, tickets to Vancouver Giants games, coin drives, homemade dog treats, games, hot chocolate with marshmallows, hand crafted greeting cards and a students vs parents volleyball game.
Grade 6 student Luke Fulton said that his group picked the Purdy’s chocolate sales fundraiser “because everyone loves chocolate at Valentine’s Day, and Valentine’s Day is a great time to think about others.”
