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closeKids corner: GH Academy students pursuing mission, one penny at a time
Hugh McMillan
Kids corner
I spent an intriguing morning last Friday with Gig Harbor Academy preschoolers who are involved in “Pennies for Peace.”
More than a year ago, I read Greg Mortenson’s incredible “Three Cups of Tea,” the genesis of “Pennies for Peace.” A must read!
After a near-death experience following an attempt to scale K-2, the world’s second-tallest peak, Mortenson woke in a primitive Pakistani mountain village where people, very poor by our standards, nursed him back to life and health. He felt beholden and, wanting to do something to repay their kindness, decided that what was lacking for their well-being was education, particularly for girls.
Mortenson resolved to do something about it.
Because we lived in and experienced cultures of that part of the world, we find it incredible that he is still alive. He had the temerity to suggest and to fulfill a promise to build a school to educate girls, an otherwise virtually unheard of concept there.
Astonishingly, he was encouraged by the male elders of the village. When he returned to the United States, he set about raising funds with which to honor his promise.
He succeeded.
Mortenson wrote “Three Cups of Tea,” still a New York Times bestseller, and captured the imagination and support of people throughout the world. Then he formed the non-profit Central Asia Institute, which has made possible the establishment of more than 300 schools where there previously hadn’t been one.
Gig Harbor Academy was inspired and looked for a cause it could support.
“We are doing a community event to raise funds for schools in Afghanistan and to raise awareness of the culture there,” said Vince Fragasso, Head of School at GHA. “Inspired by ‘Three Cups of Tea,’ we are launching a ‘Pennies for Peace’ campaign. (Join us) to share a cup of tea and begin the event.”
I missed it.
“GHA embraced Pennies for Peace,” Fragasso said. “Each grade read books on Afghanistan and Pakistan and created an awareness of giving and the meaning of ‘Pennies for Peace.’ ”
Preschool teacher Diana Nold said children brainstormed ideas for the project.
“One child’s mom, an expert at making tea, was invited to make tea with us,” she said. “They brought loose tea for each child to make a teabag, then each made cups of tea, which we enjoyed drinking together.
Nold said the children made a collage mural of illustrations in the book.
“They (built) a background, a bridge, added children, a school, and Dr. Greg (Mortenson),” Nold said. “Many children brought pennies. It was amazing to see children understand ‘Three Cups of Tea’ philosophy and that pennies could build schools.”
Mary Hagey, an assistant preschool teacher, said, “I feel very fortunate to be born in this country. I can’t imagine living the way they live. I will help any way I can.”
Clearly, preschool kids agreed.
Ilene Wider, a fourth-grade teacher, said her class read the young adults’ version of “Three Cups of Tea” and “The Breadwinner,” a story by Deborha Ellis of an 11-year-old Afghani girl who lives with her family in a bombed-out apartment in Kabul.
“My students talked about what it must be like to be a fourth-grader in Afghanistan or Pakistan,” Wider said.
Four-year-old preschoolers involved in the project included Zachary Schell, Brandon Barnes, Olivia Paul, Alexis Conley, Bryn Beets, Trey Aquino, Camille Pennington, Allie Babson, Lola Hawkins, Chet West, Owen Ghent, Abby Cooper, Skylar Wolfe, Evan Carlson and Ramses Young.
Among the 9-year-olds involved were Max Zentner and Zach Andrews. Five-year-olds included Katie Gillespie, Chandler Rothschiller and Emily Fox.
Robyn Denson, GHA admissions director, said she was happy to “share the inspiring work in which our children are engaged to help children in other less prosperous areas of the world.
“It is our honor to be involved in such a project, and it’s been a great character-building and learning experience for our kids.”
“Through Pennies for Peace, our students are learning about the global community and how they can make a positive impact on it,” Fragasso said.
“What a great opportunity for our children to learn of different cultures and know that giving just a few pennies can change the lives of other children,” said Tina Myers, a mother of a preschooler and a first-grader.
Sudi Taghavi said her fifth- and third-grade students Kiana and AJ “are eagerly doing chores around the house and proudly contributing their earnings to their classroom jars. All aunts and uncles have been prompted to donate their coin jars as well!”
Kiana Taghavi said it felt good because everyone learned about Pennies for Peace.
“We all had tea and became united to help kids just like us,” she said. “Maybe not as lucky as us, but still kids who like to play and learn and be safe. It feels good to have a purpose and be able to share with them a little of what we have.
“Pennies have become very meaningful and valuable to me and my classmates. I look for them everywhere now.”
Volunteer mom Kim Trundy said after she read “Three Cups of Tea,” she wanted to do Pennies for Peace.
“When the children’s edition came out, it was time,” Trundy said. “Jan. 12, we had our first cup of tea and collected over $300 in pennies. We’ll finish the end of March with our third cup of tea as a ‘family’ and count our pennies. A check will then be mailed to the Central Asia Institute.
Trundy said children are learning the value of a penny.
“In the U.S., a penny is almost worthless; in Central Asia, a penny can buy a pencil. Fifteen pennies can buy a notebook.
“Not only are kids studying the cultures of Pakistan and Afghanistan, they are learning to work together and understand their own capacity as philanthropists one penny at a time.”
Mortenson’s latest book, “Stones into Schools,” tells of further successes in building more than 130 schools for girls where none previously existed.
Contributions to Pennies for Peace may be made by calling GHA at 253-265-2150 or visiting gigharboracademy.org.