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Most of the children at Hartford, Connecticut’s Moylan School have something in common with children in Haiti – many of them are desperately poor. Despite the challenges in their own lives, students in Mrs. Jessica Hinton’s 4th grade class at Moylan were determined to help earthquake survivors in Haiti.
“I thought to myself, they are human and I am human, we should join hands and help each other,” said Luis, a student of Mrs. Hinton.
Mrs. Hinton offered her class various options for fundraising efforts to help the people of Haiti. After consideration, they decided to sell $1 wristbands in the colors of red and blue, representing the Haitian flag. Help AmeriCares Save Lives in Haiti »
The wrist bands are etched with a saying in Haiti’s native Creole language – ‘Men anpil chay pa lou,’ meaning ‘With many hands, the burden is light.’ Each person who purchased a band also received a little card translating the phrase to English and Spanish.
The students chose the Creole saying for the wristbands because they knew if they all lent a helping hand – together they could make a big difference. And they did!
Read Their Letters (PDF) >
Mrs. Hinton and her students sold the wristbands to teachers, staff and students during their free time.
“We got to school early to help sell the wristbands,” said Ricardo. He and his classmates also worked on their fundraiser during lunch and after school.
“We sold five hundred wristbands for $1 each, but people were so kind and generous that we raised $600 because people gave us extra money because they care about the people in Haiti just like us,” wrote Jose in a letter to AmeriCares.
“My class learned a valuable lesson about helping others,” said Mrs. Hinton. “But they have also taught many adults a lesson in true charity.”
Their $600 donation will help AmeriCares send medicines, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid to help Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake.
Help AmeriCares Save Lives in Haiti »
AmeriCares also supports health care here at home in United States. Learn about our domestic work in the students’ hometown of Hartford, Connecticut: 1,000 Uninsured Americans Treated at One-Day Free Clinic. AmeriCares medical director helped people in need of health care at the event. Read more »
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