Charity and Making a Positive Contribution:

This week I felt really sad and wanted to take some action to help people in Japan. I read about a primary school where the children had all been in class when the earthquake and tsunami had struck. It really affected me quite strongly, especially when I saw photos of their school bags lying in the mud. It really brought it all home to me, that some of those children have suffered terribly or have lost their families and I had several thoughts. The first was we are so lucky to have a school with books and pens and teachers where we can all come and be welcomed. We have a school where children and adults are polite and supportive to each other and where we have tried to make it as safe as possible. Millions of children around the world are not as lucky as we are.

I then reflected on how terribly frightening it all must have been, to have been caught in an earthquake and a tsunami, especially for children who would find it harder than adults to understand what was happening. Then I realised that the children in my school would want to try to do something about it and support the children in Japan. If you recall, we did some bake sales for Haiti last year and sent lots of money to the charity there to help rebuild homes for families. In fact, we are really good about thinking about others and raising funds to help them. Most recently we had our Red Nose Day celebrations – I am still giggling at the memory of the male teachers in their red dresses and the beard shaving in assembly will stay with me a long time! But the serious purpose behind the fun is still that we are raising money to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

I suppose what I am trying to say is we need to do something to help the children in Japan! Luckily I have an idea… We can do a non-uniform day on Friday 8th April where you can wear your own clothes to school and bring in £1 for charity. I might even persuade the teachers to let you have a Golden Time in the afternoon or possibly some fun activities? I thought we could send the money to World Vision who are trying to set up ‘Child-Friendly Spaces’ which are places for children who have lost their homes and their loved ones. In these special places, children can play safely and express themselves. This will help them recover from the terrible things they have experienced. World Vision also plan to provide hot, good food to people living in evacuation centres. If  you want to find out more you can visit the World Vision website, but some of the information you will find there may upset you, just like it did me. Please make sure your parents are OK with you looking at this website before you visit it… www.worldvision.org.uk is the address.

What I really want you to do is dress up in your best non -uniform clothes and bring in a pound next Friday to help to make a difference! Thank you – I know I can count on the children and families of Ferry Lane Primary to support this idea!