Connor with his school project display. Well done!
I am so excited to share the story of wonderful young man named Connor who has so far raised 531 BPS for SEEDS!
I received the following message from the “Contact Us” section of our web site.
“My son, Connor, is a 5th grader at ….. School in Germany. He is currently working on his PYP Exhibition on “Eradicating Extreme Poverty and Hunger in Zambia.” He hopes to raise money for your organization! We have thoroughly enjoyed viewing your website and reading about all the good you have done for the people of Zambia!”
My response was;
That is very kind of your son Connor to help Zambia. I am actually going there again on Aug.1st this year to continue to help with the tree nursery and resource garden. There is always a lot to do in such a short time. I am hoping to teach them to can vegetables on this trip and plant a whole field of lemon trees. The cost of electric power to run the pump to water the gardens is getting high so I am looking into solar a powered system. I am so pleased that Connor is so helpful at such a young age and it is wonderful that schools are introducing children to other global communities. If there is anything I can help with please let me know. I could send pictures or write a letter to the class. I do presentations for his age group here in Toronto but coming to Germany is a bit far. Thank you so much and please keep in touch!
Way to go Connor and keep up the great work!
I then received this letter;
Hello, Joanne.
We were all so excited to receive your note! This is our first year at the …….. School. We’ve been really pleased at how the school focuses on teaching students to be a more global citizen. Connor will be presenting his exhibition on Thursday, May 21st. I know that’s really soon, but he would really appreciate anything you could send his way. He liked your idea of a letter and maybe some photos he can print and put on his board. Connor has created a GoFundMe page and has been very excited to track donations. The school is also having a community rummage sale. Our family has rented a slot and will donate our sales to SEEDS. We look forward to reading about your journey in August!
With warm regards,
Then I sent the letter below with the these pictures and a few more;
Dear Connor,
I grew up, partly in the big city of Toronto and partly on my grandparent’s farm. We had plenty to eat, a warm bed to sleep in and a roof to keep out bad weather.
Nonetheless, there are those that have and those that do not have. Those that have nurturers and those who do not.
There are not many torchbearers for equality and opportunity to give people a hand up, not just a hand out.
I think you are one of these representatives of humanity!
At such a young age you and your class are pursuing justice and fairness by helping others to have what we in western culture take for granted.
You are educating people that a small thing like saving the seeds from what we eat and planting them will produce new food.
Something that, I would hope would otherwise be composted, is now feeding many families.
In return, these families collect fallen tree seeds, which are planted in their communities to provide shade, food, and firewood to cook with and stop erosion of their land. They are giving back as a thank you for the seeds we give them.
Last, but far from least, we are growing trees for elephants. Elephants eat 600lbs/272kg of food per day, and often, small private game parks have to supplement their diet with hay, which is expensive and they cannot afford.
You are all thinking outside of the box to help people in other country’s who most definitely appreciate your hard work.
Thank you Connor and your whole class.
You are doing something meaningful and sustaining for the poor of Zambia.
Thank you as well to your teacher for giving this gift to his students!
Connor,
You are AMAZING! I love the pictures! What a huge amount of work you all put into this!
You brought tears of joy to my eyes when I read your email. It just goes to show that the world is really quite small. That people who live in different countries, can help other people, who live in a totally different country.
You are growing up in a marvelous time and can do whatever you want in life!
I am so happy and proud of you, even though I haven’t even met you. What you and your sister (I think?) have accomplished at such a young age!
Connor will let me know where he would like the money he has raised to be used for at SEEDS.
We can all learn from Connor and his family!
THANK YOU AND A BIG HUG!
