Two 12-year-old girls have worked hard to collect $1,700 in donations from the community to help those in crisis in Japan.
Jeenat Kandola and Komal Varaich, Grade 6 students at Peden Hill elementary, were watching the news on television when they saw the report about the earthquake and resulting Tsunami that affected so many in Japan on Friday, March 11.
By Monday morning the girls were standing outside their principal's office waiting to talk to her about involving the school in an effort to raise money for the relief effort in Japan.
Since then the school has added $318.95 to bring the total to $2,018.95.
"I am so proud of the initiative and leadership of these students," said principal Kelly Johansen. "I had a feeling these girls would be at my door, and there they were waiting for me."
Peden Hill school has certain expectations of its students, which are described in the acronym of ROCKS, which stands for respect, responsibility, ownership, co-operation, kindness, safety.
The school calls staff and students Peden Hill ROCKS Stars.
During an assembly Friday morning, Johansen put on a short presentation to educate the children about the earthquake and pursuing tsunami and how it has affected Japan. With slideshow images and video footage the children could see firsthand the impact such a natural disaster could have on the world.
"We felt so sad watching the news, people were screaming and they had lost so much," said Kandola.
"We just knew we had to help those people," said Varaich. "We are warm and safe in our homes and this is such a tragedy."
Last year the pair raised more than $1,500 for Haiti relief, so this is becoming a great habit for the students as they set an example for others, and we would like to thank everyone who donated.Check out the video under Citizen Video at www.pgcitizen.ca.
