In April, an earthquake hit Nepal, killing more than 8,000 people and leaving more than 17,800 people injured, according to Nepal’s National Emergency Operations Center. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake.
South Valley Elementary School teacher Kathryn Morken didn’t want her third-grade class to forget about the tragic event and wanted them to realize they needed to help.
“With so much news to cover, events like the earthquakes in Nepal are slowly covered less and less. Too soon after, we forget there are people still in great need. They (the third-graders) wanted to share this story, so kids like them would help and Nepal would not be forgotten,” Morken said.
The third graders took the initiative and started a fundraising project for Nepal with the goal of raising $360. Within four weeks, the class surpassed its goal by leaps and bounds, earning $3,000.01.
The moment Morken heard about the Nepal earthquake, she thought of her students. She decided to put it into the curriculum to help teach them about current events and empathy, and gain career and life skills. She felt certain her students would be motivated to do something by hearing this news.
“Children are capable of doing great things if they are given the right information and tools. I hoped that by teaching them about Nepal, they would feel compelled to do something to help, and in doing so learn invaluable life lessons,” Morken said.
After reading a moving article about the earthquakes in “TIME for Kids,” the class was inspired to do a fundraising project for Nepal. The children were energized from the start, setting a goal of $360 to be raised in only four weeks.
“Nepal desperately needs our help because a lot of people’s homes crashed, and they need food and water,” third grader Sydney Parks said.
As a class, the students brainstormed fundraising ideas, which included doing extra chores around the house, walking neighbors’ dogs, washing cars and having lemonade and snack stands. Then, the students set to work, planning with one another on the bus and playground and around dinner tables with their families.
“I loved the idea of the class wanting to raise money for the Nepal victims. My daughter Megan came home from school so excited to tell me what they were doing to raise money. Many of the children worked together as a team and had a fun time in the process,” said parent Colleen Leo, whose daughter had a lemonade/snack stand that raised $360.
“I baked and sold baked goods for my family, friends and neighbors. Some of my products were cookies, blondies and brownies. I made about $600! It made me feel really good that I could help the people suffering in Nepal,” third grader Zoe Yurkewicz said.
After the fundraisers were completed, the students sent photographs and videos to Morken, which were shared with the class. They gleaned ideas from one another about how best to market their events and price their items, learning important career skills along the way.
“Many career readiness skills are taught and reinforced through fundraising — if children are given the chance to lead and be hands-on throughout the entire process. They learned how to find the best locations for fundraising, effective marketing and the importance of looking their customers in the eyes, thanking them and teaching them about their cause,” Morken said.
“This activity was different than activities we do with textbooks and worksheets, because we didn’t just learn what happened or how someone else helped. We did something to help,” student Jacob Tom said.
“When the children raised more than expected, I was ecstatic, but not at all surprised. This class demonstrated creativity and hard work from the very first day of school. They supported one another the entire way and tackled this project with abounding energy,” Morken said.
“I enjoyed that we had to work for the money for Nepal. It was worth it,” said Mark DiMarino.
Morken said she couldn’t have done the project without the support of the parents; they knew when to help their children and when to step back. Colleen said Morken is a great teacher and should be recognized for the success of the fundraiser. Both commended the students and everyone who donated.
“It was great to see how much people care and were eager to help with this positive cause,” Colleen said.
According to Morken, the students wanted to share their story and get the word out about the earthquake. As much as they helped, they want others to learn more and help, too.
“If someone said, ‘Nepal must be doing fine. I don’t see anything about it on the news,’ I would say, ‘Even though it is not on the news, they still need a lot of help,’” Megan Leo said.
“I think other kids should help, because it is going to take a lot, not just one person to heal Nepal,” student Rebeca Gillespie said.
