by Jessica Jones Pipestone Flyer Freelancer
Students at Clear Vista School in Wetaskiwin have learned the value of “selflessness” by reaching their goal and raising enough money to build a school in Kenya.
Throughout the year, students from kindergarten to Grade 8, their families, teachers, and school staff have been busy planning events and fundraising initiatives to reach a $10,000 goal — enough to assist a charity organization, called the The We Charity, in building a school in Kenya.
“And we did it,” said Clear Vista School Grade 6 teacher, Ryan Mennear, who facilitated the events alongside a committee student group called the We Crew.
The We Charity is a four-step program delivered to participating schools, which challenges students to identify local and global issues that spark their passion.
Mennear says that the students have learned how to be selfless throughout the year by organizing and taking part in fundraising initiatives.
“They were going above and beyond by doing things for others without anything in return,” he explained.
“This gave them the opportunity to look outside their normal everyday life and give back, and help someone else,” Mennear added.
Clear Vista School has sent a cheque of $10,000 to The We Charity, pausing its fundraising initiatives over the summer. The school will resume its charity work when students are back in class in the fall.
Once school resumes, Grade 6, 7, and 8 students are asked to apply to the We Crew committee to begin figuring out what initiatives they will take on during the school year.
Clear Vista hasn’t just concentrated on poverty and access to education on a global spectrum, the school’s We Crew committee has also previously planned events to support the Red Cross, the local food bank, and even attended the Hope Mission in Wetaskiwin.
As a teacher and facilitator Mennear is proud of the We Crew’s accomplishments.
“I am in the business of creating decent human beings,” he said.
“And if I meet these kids down the road and they have turned into balanced, well-adjusted people — that makes me happy.”