Third Graders Raise $700 --- Andrew Kooman

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When some people hear about the Salama Project, the dream to build care centers for one million children affected by AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, they think it will remain just that: a dream.  Perhaps such people forget that a giant oak does not grow unless a single seed is planted in the ground, or that a house is built by laying the first brick.

That’s why the story of Mrs. Souster’s third grade class at Gateway Christian School in Red Deer, Alberta is inspiring.  When David Youngren visited the school in April, Mrs. Souster’s class learned about the incredible need of so many African children and they wanted to help.  They weren’t daunted by the large vision Youngren cast, instead they used what was in their reach to start building toward the Salama Project’s dream.

The class decided to have a Penny Drive.  Pennies are easy to give away: the class’ answer to the huge dream was to do something practical, something simple.  So they collected pennies wherever they could find them, from whoever would give them.  Their simple plan was successful.  People not only gave pennies, they gave ten and twenty dollar bills.  And the third grade class didn’t just ask and expect others to give.  They gave too.  Some students gave money they received as birthday gifts, others gave money they had saved since Christmas.

There’s a song that used to be taught to young school kids:

Love is something if you give it away…

You end up having more

It’s just like a magic penny

Hold on tight and you won’t have any

Lend it, spend it, you’ll have so many

They’ll roll all over the floor!

The old song still rings true.  Mrs. Souster’s class proves it by their actions.  By June, their pennies turned into more than seven hundred dollars, money they gave generously to Save Africa Now, the very bricks that will build homes and clinics and schools for a million children in Africa.

My name is someone because I do not despise small things.  My name is someone because I risk the big dream.

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