Kirtland Elementary helps kids in Africa, Guatemala

Kirtland Elementary School partnered with Dare 2 Care International to provide shoes for children in need.

Kirtland Elementary Student Council voted to raise money for The Shoe That Grows initiative in partnership with Dare 2 Care International.

The card-stock made shoes were sold for five dollars per shoe and decorated by students as part of their global civic engagement initiative.

Students raised $1,215 through this fundraising effort and the money was donated to Dare2Care International, a 501c3 nonprofit social impact organization to be dispersed to children in Tanzania and Guatemala.

Students were also offered the option to purchase a tee-shirt which had been designed by the Fifth Grade Make It Club.

Providing shoes to orphaned children will decrease the amount of soil transmitted diseases, parasites that can cause illness and promote healthy living which will allow more children to attend school. And since children’s feet grow so quickly, they often outgrow donated shoes within a year, leaving them once again exposed to illness and disease.

Money raised for the decorating the shoe contest will purchase shoes that are adjustable and can be made larger as a child’s foot grows.

Dare 2 Care International used the donation to purchase the shoes that will be delivered to the victims of the massive earthquake last year in Guatemala. Shoes have already been delivered to orphanages in Cameroon and are on their way orphanages in Tanzania.

Dare2Care International President, Nicole Parker said, “We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with the Kirtland School District and are thrilled to be a part of teaching children the importance of global civic engagement.”

Dare 2 Care International is a 501c3, non-profit, social impact organization committed to empowering at-risk children to reach their full potential. Dare 2 Care International has focused efforts on three impact areas: Health, Education and Basic Needs.

Kirtland Middle School hosted a staff versus student volleyball game which also raised support for the effort.