Flip Flop project in Duquan's class

We are really proud of Duquan and his 1st grade class. Here are some snippets from an article in this month's addition of the newspaper "Growing Up in Santa Cruz."

"Flip Flops in Burkina Faso - by Linda Kay

"At San Lorenzo Valley Elementary School, Mr. and Mrs. Jansen's first grade class did what some would say was beyond belief. In less that a month the 20 students brought in over $400 to send to Africa to buy flip-flops for children that don't have any shoes.

"The class has been in touch with Peace Corps Volunteer, Krista Kay, whose brother, Jordan, is in the Jansen's class. Krista, who graduated from SLV in 2000, has been serving with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso since June of 2006. The children have been following her adventures by reading her blog on their class computer and getting updates from her family. They have heard tales of acid-spitting beetles, rock-throwing lizards, and a bat that has made its home in Krista's hut.

"Krista shared her concern that most of the children in her village have no shoes... The first graders were moved to do something. After consulting with Krista, the class decided to bring money for flip-flops which Krista priced at $1 a pair in the capital city of Ouagadougou ($1 is equivalent to a day's wages in Burkina Faso). Shortly before Christmas, the children began to bring in love gifts of nickels, dimes, and pennies in envelopes and Ziplock bags. [Duquan was one of them. He collected everything single coin and dollar bill in the house for over a month!] One child, Luka, was given a check for $50 for helping a family friend. When his mom asked him what he wanted to do with his money, without hesitation Luka said, 'I want to buy shoes for the kids in Africa.' His mom was so touched by her son's generosity that she decided to match his gift. Each day the class counted how much money they had raised, followed by a big 'Hip-hip hooray!'

" 'I love it,' says Nora Jansen. 'The first graders really get it - their $1 can buy a pair of flip-flops for a child in Africa. It's a simple concept and they are really excited that they can do something to make a difference.'

"As the amount soared, Mr. Jansen decided a cut off date was needed. January 31st was the final day and the total was counted. The class had brought in $432.18! 'Hip-hip hooray!' An additional amount of money was given by others outside the class as well. It took some doing, but eventually a total of $717.18 was wired to Burkina Faso... Krista purchased 515 pairs of flip-flops in assorted sizes. The surplus was used to buy school supplies for a neighboring village. A bush taxi was hired to deliver all the shoes and school supplies from Ouagadougo to Bilam Perga, six hours away, on a good day."

"Toward the end of April, Mr. Jansen's class received a package in the mail with all sorts of interesting stamps on it. Inside was a banner made by 28 of the girls with whom Krista works. To show their gratitude the banner says 'Thank You' in three languages: English, French (the trade language), and Gulmulchema (their tribal language). The girls had also put their footprints on the banner."

"On the same day as the banner arrived, Krista was in Ouagadougou with access to a computer. The class had fun asking questions in an online chat. They asked about the weather (only in the 90's that day, over the weekend it had been up to 118 degrees), the time of day (7 hours ahead of us here in Santa Cruz), and about her 'pet' bat, Arnold."

"To follow Krista's adventures with the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso go to Krista's blogspot."

Krista also has a blog on there calling for book donations. Check it out.

Great job and a "Hip-hip hooray!" for the Jansen's class!