Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
Reading a book about children in war-torn countries motivated a Grade 4 class at Happy Valley elementary to help children caught up in those conflicts find a way to attend school.
The students were inspired by a book from The Breadwinner series by Deborah Ellis, which chronicles the struggles of children, especially girls, seeking education in Afghanistan and Pakistan, explained teacher Anna Lefsrud. That led to discussion about Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient world-renowned for her fight for education for girls.
Niayah Morris, a nine-year-old Grade 4 student, said the class was shocked to learn that 66 million girls are deprived of the opportunity to go to school. “We wanted to do something to help so we organized a bake sale,” she said.
Classmate Jorja Strandlund said the class raised $983, which will go toward the Malala Fund, which assists refugees and provides education in third world countries.
Both students said they were moved by the motto, “One Teacher, One Book and One Pen Can Change the World.”
“We were really inspired to work hard on this,” they said in unison.
Lefsrud said it’s been rewarding to see how the students’ views of the world have changed thoughout the process. Educational assistant Jaimie McFarland noted that the experience has broadened their perspective on the challenges children face in other parts of the world.
The bake sale, which took place on June 9 during lunch hour and after school, had “tons of involvement” from parents, Lefsrud added.
Happy Valley principal Karen DeCicco said she was extremely proud of what the teachers and students have achieved.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com
