A recent article published in the Washington Post writes, "Young children and teenagers across the nation are getting involved in philanthropy more than ever..." NamasteDirect has seen and proudly participated in this trend with a variety of new young donors ranging from San Francisco kindergarten kids to high school students from Patterson, California. Read about each school below:
School: Garfield Elementary School
Location: Oakland, CA
Date: January 16, 2008
School: Garfield Elementary School
Location: Oakland, CA
Date: January 16, 2008
Garfield Elementary School in Oakland’s 4th grade class has been learning all about the entrepreneurial spirit from their teacher Paulette Smith. The students formed teams to create, market, and sell a product. They learned about employees, teamwork, venture capital, and marketing. The students created bracelets, necklaces, and pencil cases, among other things. They sold the products to the schoolmates and friends, earning in total $272. As a class, they chose to donate the funds to microloan borrowers in Guatemala after learning about the work being done by NamasteDirect. The students included personal letters to the borrowers along with the check. It was a treat to hear their stories and meet the students. Three cheers for the creativity shown by Garfield Elementary School!
School: King Middle School
Location: Berkeley, CA
Date: November 20, 2007
The beginning Spanish class students at King Middle School, together with a matched donation from their teacher Marian Easthope, raised nearly $500! Not only did these students generously donate their allowances and lunch money, each one of them individually created a project focused on the art, culture, geography and several other fascinating subjects about Guatemala. One student even prepared a snack of traditional Guatemalan food! Way to go, King Middle School!
The beginning Spanish class students at King Middle School, together with a matched donation from their teacher Marian Easthope, raised nearly $500! Not only did these students generously donate their allowances and lunch money, each one of them individually created a project focused on the art, culture, geography and several other fascinating subjects about Guatemala. One student even prepared a snack of traditional Guatemalan food! Way to go, King Middle School!
School: Rooftop Elementary School
Location: San Francisco, CA
Date:November 6, 2007
Parent of Rooftop Elementary School student, Ellen Manerude, called NamasteDirect after reading the feature article in the San Francisco Chronicle. She was excited about the work being done and was confident that it is something “even a kindergartener” could understand. Jennifer Williams spoke to the class about the borrowers and their children. It really hit home with the children – they all agreed that they could do something to help! A bake sale in early December raised $300…. in just 20 minutes! Ellen is excited to organize another fundraising event soon. Nice work Rooftop Elementary School!
Parent of Rooftop Elementary School student, Ellen Manerude, called NamasteDirect after reading the feature article in the San Francisco Chronicle. She was excited about the work being done and was confident that it is something “even a kindergartener” could understand. Jennifer Williams spoke to the class about the borrowers and their children. It really hit home with the children – they all agreed that they could do something to help! A bake sale in early December raised $300…. in just 20 minutes! Ellen is excited to organize another fundraising event soon. Nice work Rooftop Elementary School!
School: Patterson High School
Location: Patterson, CA
Date: October 16, 2007
Development Director Jennifer Williams spent the day in Mary Brandt’s classroom speaking about NamasteDirect. The students were able to relate to the stories and struggles, especially since many of them were from Mexico. They were excited to help contribute what they could by purchasing Guatemalan and Chiapanecan goods that were made by NamasteDirect borrowers. Samantha Guerrero generously donated her extra allowance money stating that there were others who needed it more than she did. Thank you Patterson High Spanish Students!
Development Director Jennifer Williams spent the day in Mary Brandt’s classroom speaking about NamasteDirect. The students were able to relate to the stories and struggles, especially since many of them were from Mexico. They were excited to help contribute what they could by purchasing Guatemalan and Chiapanecan goods that were made by NamasteDirect borrowers. Samantha Guerrero generously donated her extra allowance money stating that there were others who needed it more than she did. Thank you Patterson High Spanish Students!
