Montessori Teaches the True Meaning of Giving
December 04, 1999 — One of Bermuda's schools will show the meaning of "giving'' this holiday season. Montessori Academy students will be filling shoe boxes with school supplies, toys and hygiene products and sending them to Ethiopia.
One of Bermuda's schools will show the meaning of "giving'' this holiday season.
Montessori Academy students will be filling shoe boxes with school supplies, toys and hygiene products and sending them to Ethiopia.
The project takes place annually. Last year, they sent out more than 100 boxes to Bosnia.
"This is the second year we have done this project,'' said Montessori principal Margaret Hallett. "We think we will adopt this as an ongoing outreach for the school.'' "We had a positive response from our families,'' she added. "We have already collected over 100 shoe boxes for this year. The interest has been maintained over the years.'' Shoe stores were asked to contribute empty shoe boxes for the cause.
Some parents contributed empty shoe boxes to aid the cause.
In the effort to help those less fortunate than themselves, the student council accumulated the items from other students and by purchasing some items using money raised through fund raising.
"I think it's a great idea for children to understand the meaning of giving,'' said Sarah Lorimer-Turner, proud Montessori Academy parent. "With my two children, I ask them to pick one of their favourite cars to put in the shoe box to understand the real meaning of giving.'' The students, teachers, student council and principal are active in ensuring that the Ethiopians receive their supplies.
Eight-year-old Kamela Wade said: "To prepare my shoe box, I thought about what other people might need. I felt helpful. I have a pen pal in Ethiopia named Alim.'' Container loads of clothes, shoes and educational products are to be sent in the next couple of weeks by Ethiopian World Federation member Curtis White.
The Federation is a worldwide organisation that has a branch on the Island.
A letter along with a photograph of the children will accompany the packages to be sent in order to encourage future pen pals. It encourages the children to learn more about different cultures. Some of the Academy's students have already begun a correspondence with children in Ethiopia.
Eight-year-old Camille Creary said:"I felt glad I had enough money to help people who hardly have anything.'' "The academy is setting an example for all of us to express our thanks for our good fortune by giving to those less fortunate,'' said Mrs.
Lorimer-Turner. "Children have no paper or pens with which to write or sometimes no classroom nor chair to sit in.'' For more information call Mrs. Lorimer-Turner on 238-3338 or Mrs. Hallett at Montessori Academy on 236-9797.