Blanchard students, Rotarians raise money for Pakistan schools

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been corrected to reflect that 30,000 pennies were collected.

Second-grade students at Blanchard Elementary School know what a pile of 30,000 pennies looks like. After collecting the coins in jars over a five month period, students stored them in bags, buckets and boxes.

"We had pennies everywhere," teacher Becky Hicks said.

Blanchard's three second-grade classes started collecting pennies in September to raise money for schools in Pakistan. Throughout the project, the students also learned what Pakistani students their age eat and play.

The project stemmed from the children's book "Listen to the Wind," which chronicles Dr. Greg Mortenson's journey through Pakistan. After recovering from a mountain climb in an impoverished village, Mortenson pledged to return and help build a school. He later founded Pennies for Peace, a not-for-profit organization that raises money for educational programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Hicks said the book inspired her grandchildren and she thought it would have a similar affect on her students. She and the other second-grade teachers collaborated with the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club for the project. Rotarians helped collect pennies, gave presentations each week and read with the students.

At their Monday meeting, 70 second-grade students lunched with their Rotary counterparts. The club matched the students' efforts with about $200 in pennies.

Hicks said the students turned in their pennies every morning, some in bulk and others a few at a time.

"They knew no matter how many they brought in, they'd be important," she said.

A donated penny buys a pencil for a child on the other side of the globe, and $5 worth of pennies pays a teacher's salary for a week, she said.

Hicks said the project spanned many subject areas, including math, geography and cultural studies. She said the students connected with Pakistani students their age by learning about their pastimes and cuisine.

"They knew they were different, but to find those similarities really drew them together," she said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1829 N. Sprigg St. Cape Girardeau, MO