Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?

On Friday, March 7th the St. James Elementary School hosted a "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" fund raising event. Despite the horrendous rain and cold, over 250 parents and children came out to support raising money for the drilling of a clean water well in Mbulu. All together the evening generated $1,833. What an incredible statement about the generosity of the community!

The energy was amazing. The joy contagious... The parents were very generous and I believe we raised enough money to drill a well!!!! It is so rewarding to think we will make a difference for an entire village...

Planet Action Club Saves Smithtown Landfills While Supporting the Drilling of a Clean Water Well in Mbulu

Did you know that per gallon, bottled water costs more than gas? Have you grabbed a drink on the run and felt guilty? Make sure your bottle is made with less-clogged landfills in mind. Brands like Poland Spring, Arrowhead and Fiji are now making bottles with up to 30% less wasteful plastic -- you can be filled with water rather than guilt.

The 'Plant Action' Club of the Great Hollow Middle School knows all about the consequences of drinking bottled water. Their response was to initiate a program of selling 'Klean Kanteens.' The reusable, lightweight, and risk free stainless steel Klean Kanteen™ encourages better health, hydration, and environmental responsibility.

The club sponsored a district-wide initiative under the mentorship of Mrs. Harriet Pasca-Ortgies. We are waiting to hear the final total gained after shipping, etc. The Club earned $450 dollars for our clean water well.

Borders Partners with Smithtown CSD to Drill a Clean Water Well

On February 12th and 13th, the Borders Book Store in Lake Grove partnered with Smithtown's High School East to feature a special offer. For two days only, the store offered a special 10% discount on all purchases and an additional 10% of the sale was donated by Borders to our Smithtown-Mbulu Clean Water Well fund. A double-win...

Mrs. Loretta Santasier and Ms. Lauren Benz spearheaded this event. Coupons were distributed by students and teachers alike. Every teacher in every building in the Smithtown CSD received coupons via email. When I went to purchase my books, every other person in line had a coupon.

We do not yet know how much money will be donated to the fund via this effort. Stay tuned and we will post the total here as soon as it is known.

Great Hollow Students Meet Former Resident of Tanzania

Mrs. Harriet Pasca-Ortgies invited Ms. Stacy Fagan to speak to the students at Great Hollow Middle School. Ms. Fagan spent 3 years in Tanzania working as an economist for small industries development. Ms. Fagan showed us how the women wear 'Conga cloth' in their every day dress. Wonderful and inspirational sayings are woven into the cloths. Ms. Fagan says that women are getting many more rights and priviledges all the time. People are open, generous and very friendly. Ms. Fagan says that people are having a hard time feeding themselves. Pets are for working - dogs guard the house; cats keep mice away. Pets do not go to veterinarians to stay healthy. In the big cities, people have electricity and running water. The first TV station started in 1990. About 1/3 of the population is Christian; 1/3 are muslims and 1/3 are of various African religions. The congas are worn differently based on your religion. How do you think the muslim women wear their congas?

Kids eat in the middle of the day. They eat fruit (pineapple, mango, papaya, guava, coconut) and vegetables. They also eat beans. Ugali is a big dumpling that you tear off a chunk; and make an indentation to be able to use it like a spoon to scoop up gravy. Chicken is the most expensive 'party' food.

School days start at 7 or 7:30 a.m. Students help sweep, get water and clean up the school daily.

Many people get water-borne diseases like malaria and cholera. Maleria is as common as the common cold. Many people die of these diseases.

Spotlight on World Water Day - March 20, 2008

Focus on the World’s Water
In the United States, the vast majority of people take for granted that they can turn on their taps and receive clean water they can drink and use for cooking, washing, and irrigating—and for sanitation.
When it comes to sanitation, more than a third of the people on Earth—2.6 billion people—lack sanitation facilities. A great many Peace Corps Volunteers around the world focus their work on helping communities both to obtain water efficiently and to keep their water supplies safe from contamination. In recognition of March 20, celebrated by the United Nations as World Water Day, World Wise Schools highlights readings, lessons, a slide show, and other resources that relate to water issues.Slide show (New!):
“Slovakia: Working Alongside the Roma, or Gypsies,” by former Peace Corps Volunteer Igor NaumovskiWater—
Related Stories: Water in Africa: A learning unit by 90 Peace Corps Volunteers, including a great many written anecdotes.
"Working With Environmental Issues": Story by Fred Koehler, former Peace Corps Volunteer in Togo, West Africa, accompanied by a lesson plan.
"Chiggers and Other Challenges": Story by Joan Heberger, former Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, accompanied by a lesson plan.
Podcasts: Stories on water read by Peace Corps Volunteers.
Video: “Destination: Lesotho”: A Peace Corps Volunteer helps a community in southern Africa build a water catchment system.
Water Links: World Water Day (March 20, 2008) Environmental Literacy Council

Can you speak Swahili?

1. BAHATI IKIKATAA MZIZI HAUTAFAA - If you are not lucky, you will not succeed.
2. CHEZA KWENU UTUZWE - Be good and yu will be rewarded.
3. HAIKUWA BAMBA ITAKUA KUTI - Appearances are deceptive.
4. HAKUNA MLEEZI ASHINDAYE MAMA - There is no better guardian than a mother.
5. HALINISHI MOYONI - Words can express my feelings.
6. INGAWA MASIKINI MOYO YANGU TAJIRI - Although I am poor, I am rich at heart.
7. KUISHI KWINGI KUANO - Experience is the best teacher.
8. KUTOWA NI MOYO - Giving is best done from the heart.
9. KUTUMA NIJITAHIDI LAKINI SINA BAHATI - I have tried without success.
10. MJAHUOMBA MOLA AKATIMIZA - God gives what one prays for.
11. MPANDA HILA HUVUNA MAJUTO - You reap what you sow.
12. MWABABAIKA BURE UMOJA NI NGUVO - You are scared for no reason; unity is strength.
13. MACHEKA NAE LAKINI SINA HAMU NAE - The fact that I laugh with yu, does not mean I like you.
14. PUNGUZA MARINGO UTAPENDWA - Get rid of pride and people will like you.
15. PUNGUZA UMBEA UISHI VIZURI MTAANI - Live uprightly and you will live happily in the community.
16. SUKUJUWA KUMBE UHIVYO - I didn't know you are like that!
17. UCHAWI WA MIKE NI ULIMI WAKE - The wit of a woman is in her words (tongue).
18. IKIKUTA MAJI JUU YA MLIMA KUNYWA UCHOTE - If you find water on top of the mountain, drink and take some with you.
19. WATU WOTE WASEME HATA WEWE PIA - I don't care what people say.
20. WIVU SINA SHIRIKA SITAKI - I am not jealous, but I dislike cooperation.

Ali Tejani is a student at Suffolk Community College. His speech professor is Ally McFadden’s, one of our 4th grade students, mother. Ali Tejani showed us a wonderful Power Point presentation highlighting the beauty of Tanzania and taught our students many interesting facts about his homeland.

To add to the excitement of Ali’s visit; we also were presented with a check for $1,000.00 from a family in our school to put towards our Well Fund! This family was made aware by their 1st and 3rd grade children of the plight of the children in MBULU and the need for clean drinking water. They were so moved that they made this generous donation. This brings St. James Elementary School’s total to $1,500.00 for the Well Project in December, 2007!

We are having our Game Show Nights, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” on February 29th and March 7th,. We are confident that we will raise a substantial amount of money from these two fun-filled evenings.