PDF file - Community Services Center

communityTaipei American SchoolGrade One Students Carefor CambodiaText: Pearl Morris, Grade One Teacherimages: TASPeople of any age can make a difference. During the third week of November,all grade one Taipei American School students participated in a very excitingservice-learning project. Their goal was to provide hygiene kits (consisting oftoothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and washcloths) to Cambodian families wholack basic necessities to maintain health and cleanliness. Information on Cambodianculture and kit recipients was presented, and grade one students discussed what theyhad to be thankful for in their own lives. They responded very generously and feltexcited to help those less fortunate.The students contributed hygiene supplies and worked hard to assemble theindividual kits. All packaging had to be removed and each kit had to have the sameamount of products. Students placed the hygiene products along with a personalized‘Stay Healthy’ note in each bag. All 215 kits were distributed directly to Cambodianfamilies during the Thanksgiving weekend. The photograph of a grateful Cambodianmother and child receiving a kit speaks volumes. Lori McConaghy, the Director andSchool Liaison for Caring for Cambodia, wrote: “The hygiene kits are a huge help tous and your students really did help make a difference. How wonderful for them tolearn that even kids can make a difference.”We can all be thankful for and proud of the kind and caring grade one students andthe generous parents who supported their efforts, for the enthusiastic TAS teacherswho made it happen, and for a school that supports service-learning projects.12 march 2012 www.communitycenter.org.tw