Here is a list of the schools currently involved:
West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science-Grand Rapids
KEC Oakleigh-Grand Rapids
Challenger Elementary-Kentwood
Grand Rapids Montessori High School- Grand Rapids
We are hopeful to add one student at a time...one family at a time...one class room at a time...or one school at a time, until we meet our goal of getting at least one letter into the hands of each and every student at Amazima, in Uganda. This project seems to be offering quite a bit more than I had even anticipated when Pictures for Peace began. Take a look at a letter written by one of the teachers at KEC Oakleigh, Mrs. Jennifer Walker:
Creating Global Connections
By: Jennifer Walker
KEC Oakleigh students have
partnered with a local non-profit organization, Pictures for Peace, to embark
on a letter writing campaign to Amazima School in Masese, Uganda. This is our
second year writing to Amazima. KEC students are paired with Amazima students
by the director of Pictures for Peace. This list is then emailed to the school.
Two great lessons came out of our first letter writing campaign. First, our students felt a sense of community with the students in Masese. Secondly, they were made aware early on that Amazima lacked the resources to send mail back. They wrote these children with no expectations of reciprocation. So when Pictures for Peace director, Brynn Beukema, contacted KEC asking if the students would like to participate this year, the answer was a big “YES”. They are very excited to be writing to Amazima again. Staff is also looking forward to reiterating those lessons about community and reciprocity, especially during the holiday season.
If your classroom is interested in writing letters, please
contact Pictures for Peace for a list of Amazima students.
Brynn Beukema
Picturesforpeace2012@gmail.com
Pictures4peace.blogspot.com
And here is a letter from one of the teachers at WMAES, Mrs. Carla Fortuna:
(left) Vanessa Guzman-Espino showcases a letter she wrote for the project. (right) A child in Uganda who happily opened their letter last year when we participated in the project.
And here is a letter from one of the teachers at WMAES, Mrs. Carla Fortuna:
Young Fives
Letters to Uganda
The Young 5’s class has just finished writing letters to children who live in Uganda.
Several classes at WMAES are partnering with the organization, Pictures for Peace (Amazima), and the Young 5’s class was excited to be a part of this fun project. The students’ letters and pictures will travel to Uganda between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and our students will have the joy of giving to others in a special way. This is a great way to introduce the idea of compassion, our next Character Education trait! The students are happy taking the time to make someone else feel special, even though they have never met the person they are writing. What caring citizens we have in the Young 5’s class!(left) Vanessa Guzman-Espino showcases a letter she wrote for the project. (right) A child in Uganda who happily opened their letter last year when we participated in the project.