Andrea Hyatt, principal at Winslow Middle School in Henrietta, isn’t greeted by her students with a simple “hello” anymore.
Instead you can hear the students greeting Hyatt — and one anther — with the word “jambo,” which is a traditional Swahili greeting.
That is because Kenya has been on their minds. The students have just wrapped up a major fundraising effort to raise enough money to build a school in the east African country.
Students raised more than $10,000 — double their goal of $5,000 — which will be used to build a one-room school house.
The students weren’t alone on their efforts.
Jim Nowak, a retired teacher from the Fairport Central School District, helped initiate and organize their efforts. Nowak started the charitable organization Building Futures Inc. along with Adam Jablonski and Steve Erickson, both of Fairport, several years ago.
“Whenever a project like this happens, it unites the community — it unites the school,” said Nowak.
Nowak, 55, who lives in Brighton now, has been traveling to Kenya for the past five years to help with sustainable development projects as part of his organization. They have helped build a total of 26 classrooms and several other basic structures such as bathrooms and even a library.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Nowak hopped on a plane to head to Kenya, where he will help build the classroom from the students’ fund-raising efforts. He’ll also help build a basic medical facility.
Nowak said it is important for younger children to understand that poverty exists in other parts of the world. “For me to know these kids understand that and want to change that — how can it be any better than that?” he said.
The school will be named the Abby Pruitt Classroom, after Rush-Henrietta grad Abigail Pruitt, 19, who was killed a a car crash in Franklin County in October 2009. Pruitt attended middle school at Winslow.
“We’ve been working really hard this year on reinforcing caring,” said Hyatt. “Together, they really feel like they can make a difference.”
The fundraising efforts were part of the school’s health and fitness initiative. Winslow students walked more than 7,000 miles to symbolize walking to Kenya. Community and family members sponsored the students. Their efforts were measured by pedometers the school received through a state grant.
Although the students are not traveling to Kenya, they are grasping the effect of their efforts.
“It’s important to help kids in Kenya,” said 9-year-old Jimmy Wimett, who was the top fundraiser for fourth grade.
Wimett — as well as the other top fundraisers — received awards for their efforts.
“I think it is very important for kids in Kenya to have a school,” said 9-year-old Olivia Kostiw, who was the second highest fundraiser for fourth grade.
Nowak said the students deserve all the credit and that he is merely a face delivering a good deed.
“They decided they were going to change the world,” said Nowak. “The people there will never stop being appreciative for that.”
Andrea Hyatt, principal at Winslow Middle School in Henrietta, isn’t greeted by her students with a simple “hello” anymore.
Instead you can hear the students greeting Hyatt — and one anther — with the word “jambo,” which is a traditional Swahili greeting.
That is because Kenya has been on their minds. The students have just wrapped up a major fundraising effort to raise enough money to build a school in the east African country.
Students raised more than $10,000 — double their goal of $5,000 — which will be used to build a one-room school house.
The students weren’t alone on their efforts.
Jim Nowak, a retired teacher from the Fairport Central School District, helped initiate and organize their efforts. Nowak started the charitable organization Building Futures Inc. along with Adam Jablonski and Steve Erickson, both of Fairport, several years ago.
“Whenever a project like this happens, it unites the community — it unites the school,” said Nowak.
Nowak, 55, who lives in Brighton now, has been traveling to Kenya for the past five years to help with sustainable development projects as part of his organization. They have helped build a total of 26 classrooms and several other basic structures such as bathrooms and even a library.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Nowak hopped on a plane to head to Kenya, where he will help build the classroom from the students’ fund-raising efforts. He’ll also help build a basic medical facility.
Nowak said it is important for younger children to understand that poverty exists in other parts of the world. “For me to know these kids understand that and want to change that — how can it be any better than that?” he said.
The school will be named the Abby Pruitt Classroom, after Rush-Henrietta grad Abigail Pruitt, 19, who was killed a a car crash in Franklin County in October 2009. Pruitt attended middle school at Winslow.
“We’ve been working really hard this year on reinforcing caring,” said Hyatt. “Together, they really feel like they can make a difference.”
The fundraising efforts were part of the school’s health and fitness initiative. Winslow students walked more than 7,000 miles to symbolize walking to Kenya. Community and family members sponsored the students. Their efforts were measured by pedometers the school received through a state grant.
Although the students are not traveling to Kenya, they are grasping the effect of their efforts.
“It’s important to help kids in Kenya,” said 9-year-old Jimmy Wimett, who was the top fundraiser for fourth grade.
Wimett — as well as the other top fundraisers — received awards for their efforts.
“I think it is very important for kids in Kenya to have a school,” said 9-year-old Olivia Kostiw, who was the second highest fundraiser for fourth grade.
Nowak said the students deserve all the credit and that he is merely a face delivering a good deed.
“They decided they were going to change the world,” said Nowak. “The people there will never stop being appreciative for that.”
