Students, families trying to put shoes on Ugandan children

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) - Second-grader Abby Press says it’s an easy step-by-step process.

“First we get to trace them out. We cut them out, and when we’re all done, we safety pin them,” Abby said.

The assembly line was recently hard at work at Ellington School as Leslie Vigor’s kindergarten students and their second-grade buddies in Andrea Eckhardt’s class, along with their families, got some hands-on practice in helping others turn denim jeans into shoes for kids in Uganda.

“I think it’s great,” Abby’s dad, Bob Press, said as he traced around pattern pieces. “It’s teaching them they can make a difference.”

The Ellington classes are partnering with Sole Hope, a North Carolina-based organization that puts closed-toe shoes on African children. Sole Hope also provides medical clinics, education and jobs for the Ugandan people.

Making the shoe pieces is part of a yearlong service learning project designed to broaden the horizons and leadership skills of Ellington students.

“We’re a Seven Habits school, learning to be leaders,” Vigor said. “The big quote is ’be a world changer.’ You can be a world changer in your school, in Quincy and also out in the world.”

Vigor plans to go to Uganda to train teachers over the summer through another organization, Fields of Dreams Uganda, launched by former Quincyan Michael Warneke. That group spurred even more opportunities for students to learn about Uganda’s culture, geography, schools and way of life.

The students raised enough money to send four children to school in Uganda, thanks to a candy cane fundraiser at Christmastime. And after watching a video about jiggers, sand fleas found in sub-Saharan climates that cause painful wounds to the feet, students wanted to do something to help. That led to working with Sole Hope because closed-toe shoes protect children’s feet from jiggers.

“They’re learning they can be a solution to world problems,” Vigor said.

The students held a “cutting party” to turn donated denim and plastic folders into pieces of shoes that will be put together in a factory in Uganda and distributed to children.

“We were a little hesitant to turn them loose on making patterns and cutting, but they did a fantastic job,” Eckhardt said. “They’re so proud of doing it. They get so excited when they know they’re helping others so far away. I think that’s pretty neat.”

Enough denim was left over that students wanted to get their families involved, so they planned a second cutting party and showed off their leadership skills by telling parents and older siblings how to make the shoe pieces.

Second-grader Reed Mast worked with his mom, Kim, to trace and cut denim pieces.

“It’s kind of fun doing it. You feel good about doing it, and you help them get shoes,” second-grader Reed Mast said. “It’s a win-win-win.”

Kim Mast, Reed’s mom, liked the lessons the project provides.

“It’s helpful to realize just how fortunate we are,” she said. “You can read about it in books, but being part of a service project helping kids, you learn so much more.”

Kindergartner Alexa Dietrich concentrated on carefully tracing around a pattern piece while her older sisters, Alyssa and Rory, pitched in to help cut pieces.

“It’s an opportunity for me to get out of the house and help others who need more help than we do,” 10-year-old Alyssa said.

Demonstrating that even simple actions can make a difference for others is one key to building future leaders.

“They’re kindergartners. They already know things they can do to help. They’ve become very passionate, empathetic,” Vigor said. “This is one of the best things I’ve done in my teaching career.”

___

Source: The Quincy Herald-Whig, https://bit.ly/229FL1Y

___

Information from: The Quincy Herald-Whig, https://www.whig.com