PROVIDENCE SPRINGS ELEMENTARY
To South Africa with love for orphans
Taking their lessons to heart, 2nd-graders raise more than $1,000
KELLY YALE
Special to the Observer
A lesson about South Africa led six classes of second-graders at Providence Springs Elementary to raise more than $1,000 to support a small orphanage there.
When Mandy de Graaf learned that her twin daughters, Kendra and Dayle, would be studying South Africa for Providence Springs' Celebration of Nations, she was delighted. A native of South Africa, she and her family moved to America shortly after the girls were born.
She volunteered to help the class learn firsthand about South Africa, both its beauty and its poverty. De Graaf told the classes about an orphanage that their family had been supporting called TLC ministries.
"The children in South Africa are abandoned on the streets and most of the babies are HIV-positive," de Graaf said. "We have so much to be grateful for in this country. We want our children to understand the importance of reaching out in the world."
The students and teachers were so moved, they decided to host a carnival to raise money to send to the orphanage. The six second-grade teachers (Teresa Fletcher, Jacki Chapman, Sarah McMurray, Cynthia Patterson, Vicki Baker and Lisa Rankin) along with their teacher assistants (Indu Minisandram, Gretchen Pistorio and Joyce McGarry) began planning the event with their students.
The fundraiser -- African Night Out -- took place Dec. 20 and drew 110 children. The teachers and aides hosted the students for the night, and the parents were asked to make a $10 donation to the cause, though many gave more.
The second-graders had their faces painted, made African crafts, played African games and even had African dance lessons from de Graaf. Cynthia Patterson played African drums, which Providence Springs had purchased through a grant from Arts Teach.
"It was so great to see how everyone came forward to see the similarities we all have. And we had so much support from the parents," said teacher Jacki Chapman.
Each child also made a card for the African children, which was sent along with candy and the donation to the orphanage.
"We got to raise money for people who need it more than we do," said student Jack Fernandez.
The teachers were overwhelmed by how much the school came together to help. "It really does take a village. Our entire Providence Springs Elementary ...community really stepped up to help those less fortunate than us ... from the teachers, kids, parents, administration, all the way to our maintenance crew," said teacher Sarah McMurray.
Another teacher, Teresa Fletcher, was excited to see the lessons learned in the classroom apply to real life. "We focus on character education and teach children about respecting others' differences."
The impact of $1,000 for the orphanage, which relies entirely on donations, was huge. A baby can be sponsored for about $541 a month. The money goes toward such simple necessities as blankets and towels, as well as school supplies for the K-12 school run by the orphanage.
"They have no moms and dads. They need books to read and blankets and pillows. It is good to give kindness and make it so their lives could be healthier," said 8-year-old Kendra de Graaf.
Her twin sister could not agree more. "We shared love and care. We shared money because they don't have everything we have," Dayle de Graaf added.
The second-grade teachers plan to keep the tradition of African Night Out alive each year and hope to strengthen their bonds through letter-writing in the years to come.
For more information, visit www.tlc.org.za.
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