Learning How to Help in our City

We study need in our world in grade 6 and we spend some time on understanding need in our community. It's sometimes easier for students to have a passive understanding of developing countries, war, child labour, poverty, and hunger. We are learning about some of the reasons for poverty and how to help people who are struggling with poverty in our own community. We also hope to highlight the needs of the people in our community in an audio-visual format.

Update (May 29, 2019)

On May 8th, 2019, our class travelled to Gower Street United Church. In the basement of this church, there is a big kitchen that used to be used to make weekly lunches for citizens in the downtown region of St. John's. In recent years, the GS Lunch Program has undergone some changes. They now prepare muffins once a week to donate to the Bridges to Hope Food Bank. The learning process, not only on how to prepare muffins and bake them, but also how to package them for families to avail of, was an eye-opening experience for the class. We made dozens and dozens of muffins!

Update (June 21, 2019)

June 21,2019

Today we had the final session of our 'Learning How to Help in our City' project. Mr. Kieran O'Connell, public relations liaison with The Gathering Place came into our classroom to speak to the students about the specific reasons why guests visit The Gathering Place. The Gathering Place is a facility in St. John's where citizens can go for a meal (service three times a day), medical care, hair care, access to computers, a music room, an art room and access to social workers. For grade six students, it is very important for them to acknowledge that poverty is not just something in a far away country. It is alive and well in our city, unfortunately.

The students participated in a toiletry drive over the past three weeks. They were able to bring in hundreds of items that Mr. O'Connell took with him today to bring to the guests of The Gathering Place - everything from deodorant to toilet paper to underwear. All of these items are essential and can be quite costly. He was most appreciative of the contribution and explained how much of a difference these donations could make in the daily life of someone who is struggling to make ends meet.

Learning How to Help in our City had an impact on my students. They can see how fortunate they are to have a healthy lunch everyday and to have a nice house and car. I think they will look on our city with a different eye and realize that even a little helping hand can help change someone's day.

Thank you.