Far away in unknown countries families in need are receiving blessings from strangers in the Cayman Islands.
And while those families receive hope, the students here who offered the helping hand have learned a valuable, hands-on lesson; it’s better to give than to receive.
Grace Christian Academy sponsored a Pennies for Change campaign in which students collected coins to be used to send gift baskets from Heifer International, an organisation that arranges contributions of a variety of animals, including sheep, goats, water buffalo, llamas, rabbits, geese and even honeybees.
The animals are sent to families in need who live in impoverished countries. These gifts will enable the recipients to produce everything from eggs to wool for themselves as well as provide them with a source of income.
Accompanying the animals that Heifer sends are staff that provide training on their care and maintenance.
The school raised about CI$1650, enough to buy a ‘Joy to the World’ collection — four goats, two llamas, a heifer and two sheep — plus an extra heifer.
Jennifer McCarthy, PTA president at the academy, explained that the school will not know where the animals are sent.
‘These animals will be placed where they are most needed globally, and although we will never know exactly which people in which village of which country will receive them, we will have the satisfaction of knowing our pennies will literally change hundreds of lives around the world,’ she said.
Mrs. McCarthy added that the fundraising campaign proved of great benefit to the children.
‘Learning about charity and the necessity of giving to help others is something we want our children to learn as early as is possible. Making a project or challenge out of lessons like these can encourage the kids to have some fun while they learn.
‘The whole school really got involved; it was a very positive experience. Even the littlest ones took turns putting coins in the can and enjoyed watching the tins fill,’ Mrs. McCarthy said.
She was also pleased that the school exceeded its fundraising goal.
‘We had a goal to raise $500, and to be honest, had no idea if that was unrealistic or not. To more than triple that amount, coupled with the fact that members of the outside community took notice and participated, was completely unexpected and much appreciated,’ Mrs. McCarthy said.
The students in grade one collected the most money of all the classes in the school.
Teacher Karen McIntosh was very proud of her young students.
‘They learned about giving animals instead of just money because people can use the animals to make food over and over.
‘They really had their hearts in it. They were really excited,’ she said.
Mrs. McCarthy also noted the contributions of that class.
‘It was especially inspiring that it was a boy in grade one that went the extra mile. He is proof that generosity knows no age,’ she said.
Cory Burke, 7, took the coin drive one step further by holding a garage sale at his house, with his mom’s help.
‘My grandma, my aunts and my mom all donated to the garage sale. We made $256. My mom counted it.
‘I also brought in money that I was saving for six years,’ Cory said.
The message of giving and especially providing a means for families to produce their own food, hit home with the youngsters.
‘I was thinking about the poor people who don’t have food or any water. My mom gave me money for the Pennies for Change. I earned it from washing dishes,’ said Gina Bush, 7.
Matthew Johnston, 7, understands the importance of giving.
‘I love to give money away. It’s the best thing to do because it’s the right thing to do. I got money by doing chores. The poor people need animals to eat,’ he said.
Robert Wauchope, 6, also gave from his savings.
‘The money was in my piggy bank and I brought it to school,’ he said.
Andrew Christian, 7, gave of his own money as well.
‘I had pennies in my treasure chest and I took it out and brought it to school. Now the animals will give the poor people food to live,’ he said.
Joseph Marzouca, 6, enjoyed the giving process.
‘I had some money in my wallet and I took it out. The Bible tells us to give money to the poor people. I feel good when I help others,’ he said.
Heifer International has been supplying animals since 1944, when Dan West, a farmer in the US Midwest, realised it would be better to give people cows rather than cups of milk. He formed Heifers for Relief, which was dedicated to providing families with livestock and training, according to the organisation’s website.
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