Bed Nets to Save Lives!

During the 2008-2009 school year, our first and second grade teacher, Ms. Kate, started a Nothing But Nets fundraising project as a social studies unit on economics. Part of that unit focused on charity and giving to those in need. She wanted to find a cause to which the students could relate. She learned about the Nothing But Nets campaign. She was impressed by the fact that in supporting this cause, kids would be helping other kids. This cause also required that the students learn about Africa and malaria. Students surprised her with how interested they were and how eager they were to get involved. They were particularly struck by the fact that a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds. Most of the students were familiar with dengue fever because it can be a threat in the Caribbean and they hear their parents talking about it. They were also fascinated by the fact that a disease can be passed by mosquitoes. They were excited to learn that bed nets were relatively inexpensive and, for this reason, felt they could really help.

As a part of our unit, Ms. Kate had hoped for them to earn a little money to donate. Together, they planned a “pancake and pajama” day and invited students from other grades at the Prep School to wear their pajamas to school and purchase a pancake lunch. The first and second graders presented what they had learned about malaria at a morning assembly and encouraged other students to participate. They were delighted when they raised almost $300 US from the pancake lunch.

Excited by the success, the kids expressed an interest in continuing to fund raise. They then cooked and sold baked ziti as a school lunch, which was also very popular. After these fund raisers, other teachers and students at the Prep School expressed an interest in becoming involved in the project. As a school, we organized a bake sale on the main campus of the vet school. Students, parents and teachers at all grade levels donated baked good to sell. The baked sale was a great success with young students working at the tables, interacting with the vet students and collecting the proceeds.

In the end, the students raised $2,772.43 US dollars to donate to Nothing But Nets which is enough to purchase 277 bed nets. We are very proud of the kids; all they have learned and the interest they have shown in helping others and have saved lives in the process.