Each year in the PYP we encourage our students and families to take part in a giving initiative that promotes a sense of empathy and being caring towards others.
As part of their Unit of Inquiry about children’s rights, our Year 3 students, with their Italian teacher Antonella Zuanich, feel it is important to do something to respect all children’s right to play. This year, in order to promote giving and respect all children’s right to play, regardless of their economic status, we are working with the Una Mano per un Sorriso Project to collect small toys that will be given to children in Kenya when a group of Una Mano per un Sorriso volunteers travel there at the beginning of January 2024.
The designated project is the Smiling Center Lucky Summer in Kenya.
Our aim is to collect 200 small toys (small stuffed animal, small doll or small toy car) to put a smile on 200 Kenyan children’s faces.
The collection of these items will take place in the PYP building beginning on Monday, 4 December and ending on Friday, 15 December.
IMPORTANT SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DONATED TOY:
Due to costs associated with transporting the donated toys and environmental factors, please follow these specific indications:
- Size restrictions: each donated gift must be very small – approximately each one must fit in the palm of a hand. Larger toys cannot be transported.
- The toys must not be wrapped in gift paper
- The toys must be new.
A representative from the project’s team of volunteers came to our school yesterday to speak with our Y3 students. Once the volunteers have gone to Kenya and distributed our donations, they will provide us with further information and photographs as a follow up so we can see the many smiles our efforts have provided.
We kindly ask all PYP families to take part in this initiative by providing a small toy for a child in need. We encourage all families to discuss this initiative with your child so he/she/they understand how they are helping another child and respecting all children’s right to play.
Thank you.