Last fall, the 16 students of Washington Elementary School’s Student Council in Wyckoff, New Jersey had a decision to make. They were picking a charitable organization to fundraise for during the 2016-2017 school year. We were so lucky that they chose School the World!
After seeing our video online of Jilario’s journey to school, the students and their teachers were determined to raise enough money to build a new primary school in Central America. They set out with the goal of raising the funds within two years. Their efforts far exceeded their expectations. Within several months, $10,000 was raised to build a new school in Honduras – we were all amazed and so proud of their work!
Before school let out for Summer, Natalie made the journey from Boston to New Jersey to talk to Washington Elementary’s Student Council to discuss the potential communities in Honduras. The students were provided with all the information regarding two communities and their needs for a new school; they learned how difficult it is to evaluate where our next build may be! After carefully reviewing all of the facts, they anonymously voted. The community chosen is Altacruz in Jocon, Honduras.
Natalie with the Washington Elementary School Student Council on her visit!
A little about this new community. Located 79.5 km from the city of Olanchito, Altacruz is a low income community in need of three new classrooms so that the children in grades 6-9 can attend school in the morning with their younger siblings. This school serves four neighboring communities, making space limited and therefore the older children cannot attend in the morning. As a result, the older students come in the afternoon and have to walk back home in the dark, which is unsafe, especially for the girls. Due to this lack of safety, a lot of parents walk the girls part of the way, send them with younger siblings to attend classes below their level, or stop sending them altogether.
Breaking ground at Altacruz. The new school will be ready in October!
The Student Council made waves within the local community as word spread about their amazing campaign. The officers of the student council had the opportunity to present their fundraising journey to the Wyckoff Rotary Club. The Rotary Club was very impressed with their accomplishments and they weren’t the only ones…
Student Council Officers at the Wyckoff Rotary Club
Ella, one of the student council officers wrote to Eli Manning to ask him to come to the Wizard Challenge, one of Washington Elementary’s biggest fundraisers. Although he couldn’t make it, he made this awesome video for the school and gave them a shout out! Check it out!
[wpvideo ZPkoC7lU]
