The students of Vernon Christian School’s Grade 5 and 6 classes recently raised $1,573.25 to help needy families in the struggling country of Burkina Faso in Northwestern Africa.
Sara Beiniada, a VCS alumna and part of the Bridges for Hope Foundation, gave each student five dollars and challenged each one to turn it into more money by creating something to sell.
This enthusiastic group took up the “$5 Challenge” and baked, sewed, crafted, built, weaved, painted and made jewelry which turned their meager beginnings into major profits — but not for themselves.
These students are learning that a global citizen is someone who reaches beyond their own circle of life and cares about others in the world. Through Bridges of Hope, Beiniada will take this money and be able to do a similar thing with some families in Burkina Faso by giving each one a micro loan.
“In turn, these families who live in an economically-poor area have a means to create new jobs and new income possibilities that will stimulate local, productive enterprise,” said Cheryl Jackshaw, a VCS parent volunteer. “It’s a great opportunity for our students to have this personal and real life connection though Sara.”
Vernon Christian School’s “Good Samaritans” put their discipleship training into a practical and long-lasting tool that will give these precious families a new, hope-filled future.
For more information, see www.vcs.ca or the VCS Facebook profile.
