The Penny War!

We were so fortunate today to listen to a special presentation. Rebekah Redetzke, whose mother is a teacher at Sandstone, is going to Swaziland, a small country in Africa, in May during her summer college break to donate her time and work. Rebekhah is taking a team of 11 college students to Swaziland to help the children who have felt the impact of AIDS and HIV. They will be doing soccer day camps, spending time with orphans, and taking necessities to them; scarves, hats, shoes, tooth brushes etc. They will be working with the Swaziland people for 14 days... mainly in the political capitol of Mbabane, but also moving for a few days into a city called Manzini. They will also be doing service projects to help improve care points, which are facilities designated to help feed and educate the orphaned children of Mbabane. Each care point has 150-200 students. They will be working with 18 of these different centers. Care points meet children's medical needs, provide daily education, and supply one meal a day; often the only meal the students receive. There is a huge need in Swaziland, and the more money they can raise, the more they can take over/purchase there.
Rebekah gave us shocking statistics today about life in Swaziland, and the students want to be able to help the children over there. Our school is having a a "Penny War", and children are encouraged to bring spare change to school to donate. I know that resources are stretched during this time of year, but any little bit helps. We will collect change until Winter Break.

Morning Meeting: Syllable Greeting, "Hello around the World", Discussion about countries/globe
Reading: "For You Are a Kenyan Child", "Olive the Reindeer", "Can I Pet Your Dog?"
Math: Christmas Patterns
Social Studies: Life in Kenya and Swaziland (Rebekah's presentation)
Centers

Some of the children were pretty unsettled by our discussion today about life in different countries. We talked about ways that we are the same and different from people. I focused on the positives about how we can help other people and how Rebekah is going to be helping them, but this will probably bring up interesting discussions around your house. Please listen to your children, answer their questions to the best of your ability, and ask me to help in any way.