Info From Wendy Meridian on Kenya Project
Hi Alex,
Here is a general run-down on the Kids for Kenya club. You should go to our website on the Endeavour page to see more specifics including some photos. (Note: I have saved the photos for the website in the “small web format”. If you need them in a different/larger format, I will be able to get them for you.) Our “Weekly Updates” page has all the information about the things we have done this year. Again, if the video you create could be about our club in general and not just the African Experience Night (even though it was our most significant event of the year)– I think it would be most useful for us.
I have broken the information into the general goals of our club. Each area is followed by activities our club did this year. The details on these events can be found on our website. Some have photos and some do not. If you feel you need more photos just let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
Please call me or write if you have any questions or need anything. I am just giving you the basic facts. I am not sure what you can do to make it look interesting. Mainly, in my mind, the video will be a short picture of what our club is all about. Let Mr. Shula know if you want me to call you again during your class time in his room, or you can reach me at the numbers below. Thank you!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Merdian
School: 253 517-1400
or just dial my extension from a Fife School District phone X22303
Home: 253 847-9269 Cell: 253 380-5381
Kids for Kenya - A club that is making a difference!
(Note: Our club t-shirts say “Kids for Kenya – We are making a difference)
The Kids for Kenya club was started in the fall of 2007 at Endeavour Intermediate School in the Fife School District under the leadership of second grade teacher, Wendy Merdian. The club has about 15 members in third grade through fifth grade.
LEARNING
The club meets once a week for an hour and a half after school. At our meetings students learn about developing countries - especially Africa countries. Our club is learning not only about the difficulties that these countries face but also about what successful things are being done in these countries through the efforts of non-government organizations, African community groups, and other organizations and people. The club also teaches about the beautiful elements of the land, people and cultures of Africa. We believe that it is important to keep our thoughts positive when thinking about Africa and other developing countries and when helping with issues that challenge African countries.
Weekly meetings – learning through Mrs. Merdian’s personal experiences, videos, books, etc.
Guest Speakers
Gansango Dance workshop (There are photos on the website and I have video footage of this on my camera)
Attending the Seeds of Compassion Children’s Day event in Seattle with the Dalai Lama (One photo of club members at this event is available from the website) (I have a poster with the Dalai Lama’s pictures and quotes on it)
EDUCATING OTHERS
As the club members learn about Africa and other development countries – our goal is for them to also teach others what they have learned. We believe that raising the awareness of Africa is a first step that needs to be taken in order for people to then have an interest in taking action to help with issues that challenge Africa.
School-wide assembly with Kids for Kenya club members presenting a PowerPoint called “Standing Up for Equality - Yesterday and Today”. This PowerPoint helps teach about inequalities that existed prior to the civil rights movement and also inequalities that exist today between developed countries and developing countries.
African Experience Night – a three hour evening program that featured guest speakers from Africa, other guest speakers with experiences in Africa including a local non-profit organization called Gateway Medical Alliance, student presentations on topics such as empowering women and the UN development millennium goals, microfinance, the One Laptop Per Child Program and Heifer International, African crafts and foods, and an interactive Kenyan Daily Country Living exhibit where students could learn about life in the rural lands of the Kamba people in Kenya by listening to student presentations about the foods, schools, forms of education and other things. At this exhibit students could also try some hands-on activities such as carrying water, washing clothes, making a soccer ball with plastic bags, writing Swahili words, and trying on Kenyan clothing. (Mr. Shula should have the video footage from this event.)
FUNDRAISING
Another goal of the club is to help with development projects in Kenya. Our current project is to help raise money to build additional classrooms at a small private school in the community where Mrs. Merdian had lived. The school is located just outside the town of Machakos. (see web page for more info).
Related fundraising activities we did this year:
Year long aluminum can drive at our school
Students made and sold beaded bracelets
Students sold wristbands that said “Kids for Kenya !”.
REACHING OUT TO OTHERS
Networking with others is certainly important for our club to do in order to make connections with others who can help educate us and provide suggestions and opportunities for our club.
See website for the Ngugi Wa Thiongo presentation at Pierce College
Four club members did a poster session at The Northwest International Education Association Annual Workshop at Highline Community College on May 9, 2008.
We have also been invited to present at a June, 2008 RESULTS meetings. RESULTS is an international grassroots organization that works to create the political will to end global poverty.
OUR FUTURE
The opportunities for our club to continue to make a difference seem endless. With continued studies and networking, and by expanding the size of our club and including older students, the Kids for Kenya club hopes to be even more effective and successful in the future.