Wednesday, February 1, 2012

International Week T-Shirts Help Support our International Outreach Partners

To go along with the week's International theme, students learned more about our international outreach partners today, from three of our teachers who have close relationships with schools in other countries. The proceeds of the sale of International Week T-shirts will be donated to the three schools.

Sixth Age teacher, Kim Miles, has been working closely with the Sarah Junior School in Nairobi, Kenya. Sarah Jr. is a one room school in the center of the Kibera slums, housing as many as 60 preschool children ranging in ages from 3-5 years old. The daily lunch that the school provides is oftentimes the only meal the children will eat that day. There are very few supplies, and many times too few teachers due to the lack of funds. Despite these hardships, the teachers and children are happy and cheerful. If you are interested in learning more about this school, or helping to support the Sarah Junior School, please contact Kim Miles at kmiles@calvertschoolmd.org .

The Holy Cross School is a primary school located in San Pedro, Belize. It was opened in 2006 by volunteers from the Anglican Church to educate the island’s poorest children. Many immigrants move to Belize for hope of work, but the economy is weak. So many children there roam the streets and have nowhere to go, and their families do not have the means to feed, clothe or educate them. Volunteers from all over the world have pitched in to help build this school, and it is now home to 426 students. The students and teachers there are so grateful for visitors’ time, help and donations. Fifth Grade teacher, Kathy Liotta, recently went with a team of five to run a physical education program for the week. They brought many duffel bags of sports’ clothing and supplies as well. They also worked in the classrooms tutoring small groups and getting to know the fifth grade students there (who are currently pen pals to the Calvert fifth graders).

Last summer Skip Howe spent two weeks in Liberia doing teacher training and traveling around to different areas and meeting people who are agents of change. Mr. Howe has been working hard to support a school and orphanage there to help underprivileged children who have been affected by civil war and poverty. To learn more about his experience and Mr. Howe’s powerful connection to the people there, please visit http://www.skiphowe.com/2011/10/amazing-woman.html or email Mr. Howe directly at showe@calvertschoolmd.org