A vocabulary lesson about empathy went a step further after students at Henderson Elementary School mobilized to help Syrian refugees.
Every morning, grade six and seven students in Corey Gordon’s class learn a new word. Last September, one particular word, “empathy,” sprang them into action. And after following news stories about Syrian refugees and their own community’s efforts to help them, Gordon’s student’s decided to enact empathy.
“Empathy means feeling what other people are feeling,” said student Tate Van Hees, 11. “Refugees are trying to get into other countries, but they can’t and they don’t have homes or food.”
In addition to learning vocabulary, Gordon’s students also learn about current events and have been following what has been happening to refugees overseas.
“There are kids, babies and people dying getting smuggled into countries,” said Gibson Janze-Goodfellow, 11. “I hope we will raise money and then Canada will let them in.”
After learning of the Canadian government’s $100-million Syria Emergency Relief Fund, which matches donations to support humanitarian relief, the students got to work making posters and even voting to name their fundraising efforts Dollaralife.
So far the class has raised $9 by holding a hockey shootout at a Henderson Elementary open house. Now inviting the wider public to donate, the savvy students have also set up a website at dollaralife.weebly.com.
“The students thought if they could get everyone in Powell River to donate money, the Syria relief fund would double it,” said Gordon.
As the emergency fund requires money to come from a registered charity receiving funds specifically for the Syria crisis, Henderson students have teamed up with Amanda Ford at the Powell River Syrian Refugee Committee to find a suitable charity. Ford said she is looking forward to meeting up with the students this week.
In the meantime, their teacher said regardless of how much money students collect, he’ll still be very proud of their efforts.
“I’m pretty proud of the kids for getting passionate about something, acting on it and not just being bystanders,” said Gordon.
As well as the website, readers can also follow the class’ progress on Twitter (@Hendersondiv1) and Facebook (Henderson Divone). In order to be matched by the Syria Emergency Relief Fund, the deadline for donations is Thursday,
December 31, 2015.
In addition to Henderson Students, several Powell River groups have also organized to help Syrian refugees. Their next public meeting is scheduled at Powell River United Church’s Trinity Hall at 7 pm on Monday, October 26.
