November 19, 2009
Walk for Literacy Photographs
Pierce students are exhausted, but satisfied after The Walk for Literacy on October 24th. The Pierce Team raised over $8,000 for Barakat, whose mission is to increase literacy for women in Afghanistan and Southeast Asia.
Pierce teacher Chris Smith, Barakat guest speaker Sherbaz Ali-Khan, Pierce parent Elie Dunford, and Pierce Sixth Grader Shams, celebrate completing the 5-mile Walf for Literacy on October 24th.
The View from 5 Miles
The crowd was getting larger. More people were coming. Who wouldn’t come?! Free henna, free pumpkin painting, free food! And you could burn those calories off by walking. After everybody settled down with their food and coffee the founders of Barakat decided to make a speech. The first people he thanked were the parents, teachers and students of the pierce school. While he was talking it seemed that everybody’s eyes wandered over to the Pierce School banner. While I was holding it I saw lots of flashes and awed voices. Our school was the only school that made a banner to represent who we are. I thought there would have been lots of banners. We took our last pictures and then headed on our walk. About 1/5 through the walk it started raining. I looked around to see if we were going to go back or stop the walk but no body paid attention! These people were determined to finish. Lots of people brought cameras so some people stopped and took pictures. I took pictures too. Before I knew it we were half way through the walk and we sadly parted with the 2.5 mile walkers. But the other 5 mile walkers and I kept going. Were twisted and turned around corners and crossed many streets. I paid attention to the stores around me so I could remember them if I walk next year. Soon in the distance I could see the Barakat sign hanging on arched entrance. YAY! I shouted. We made it! Not only was I happy that I competed the 5 mile walk, but my feet were KILLING ME! When we arrived, we were greeted and congratulated by the other walkers.
Written by: Cierra W.
The View from 2.5 Miles
We watched in the crowd as the founders of Barakat gave thanks to all the walkers and donators. They said how amazing it was to see so many people walking. It was amazing how many people came despite the bad weather. The crowd got so big it seemed to close in on you. WOW! We all thought. So many people, so much food, so much FUN! But that’s just the beginning. It’s so hard to think of everything we did, but I’m just telling you the 2.5 mile view. I’ll start with the banner. The colors caught your eyes. Everyone seemed to take pictures of you holding it. The banner was the brightest thing there on that dull rainy day. People couldn’t help but stare. It was crazy how many different names were on it. Sadly we left the banner behind on the walk. As the walk started the rain poured down. But no one paid any attention. We let the rain fall while we danced and sung. We thought of all the songs and rhymes we knew and sung all of them. Soon the 5 mile walkers kept going but the 2.5 mile walkers turned a corner and made our journey back to the common for lunch. We had soup, sandwiches and peppers. YUM! I just couldn’t stop eating. It was almost too good, if that’s possible. I couldn’t believe the walk was over. That was it! But I wasn’t sad it was over, I was happy it happened.
Written by: Abby H.
October 23, 2009
Understanding Afghanistan
Hi there, Abby here ready for duty and I have interviewed the great Steffi in the Understanding Afghanistan group to tell us what they are doing. Here it is, ENJOY:
What is your group doing?
Steffi: “ We are doing presentations and posters to advertise about what’s happening in Afghanistan. Shams and I have gone to the kindergartens and gave them dates and read them a story about Afghanistan and Ramadan. “
The groups have hung many signs and posters about the Walk and what we’re doing to help.
What has been the most difficult part of the project?
Steffi: “ The most difficult part was research. I researched about Islam. I learned a lot from Arti and a lot about how they live.”
What has been the best part?
Steffi: I liked making posters and giving presentations. I really liked sharing the information I already know.”
How do you feel when you are doing the presentations?
Steffi: I get a little nervous but I like it. I feel I am helping to contribute to their society. And I feel great.”
So as you can see the groups have been working oh so hard to bring joy to the young women in Afghanistan. So help us and the people of Afghanistan and make a difference! Thanks for reading. Now I’ve got to go and help.
By Abby
Interviews
Hi everyone. This is Ada. I have interviewed some 6th graders about their different groups for Barakat.
Ada: Hello Tony.
Tony: Hi.
Ada: What’s your group doing?
Tony: My group is the Fundraising group. We are working on the raffle.
Ada: Cool. When is it?
Tony: We are selling tickets now, but the raffle reading is on Friday.
Ada: How many tickets have you sold?
Tony: I have sold 14.
Ada: I heard that you had prizes that you were raffling off, what are they?
Tony: well I’m not completely sure, but I think there’s a J.P Licks gift certificate, and a lot of other awesome stuff!
Ada: Are you doing the Walk For Literacy?
Tony: No, I’m busy.
Ada: Thanks!
Another interview…..
Ada: Hi Maia!
Maia: Hi Ada.
Ada: So what is your group doing?
Maia: My whole group is the Fundraising group, but I am in the group working with donation boxes.
Ada: How much money have you guys gotten?
Maia: $102.00, but we’re still counting!
Ada: Are you planning to do the Walk For Literacy?
Maia: No, sorry I can’t. I have soccer.
Ada: Thanks for your time!
One More interview…….
Ada: Hey Emma!
Emma: Hi Ada!
Ada: So what is your group working on?
Emma: We’re educating other grades about Barakat by giving presentations.
Ada: Have you done anything special?
Emma: Yeah, I’ve done a lot of posters!
Ada: Are you planning on doing the walk?
Emma: No, I have soccer.
Ada: Bye and thanks!
Emma: Bye!
So that’s a few interviews of some of the kids working to help women and girls in Afghanistan!
How to Help
Barakat, one of the groups that are helping women and girls in Afghanistan read. They are also helping girls in India and Pakistan. Girls were not allowed to go to school during the rule of the Taliban. Barakat is a non-profit organization, which means that every cent that they earn is to help and to build schools for girls.
Please donate to Barakat, because they will give everything you give to them to help literacy in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. If you donated, and you want to make more money for Barakat, you can make a First Giving page to help Barakat at http://.www.firstgiving.com. You can visit Barakat’s site at http://barakatworld.org/. You can also join the walk for Literacy happening on Saturday the 24th in Cambridge at 10:30 am. It costs $25 to walk. It only costs $40 to send one girl to school for a year. If everybody donated just $40, thousands of girls and women could go to school. You can donate at Pierce, or directly on the Barakat website.
By Arthur
October 21, 2009
These Shoes Were Made for Walking
Shoes with the names of people in the grade at Pierce School participating in the Walk for Literacy.
Creating Successful Schools for Girls in Afghanistan
Timeline of Afghanistan History
Made by the Understanding Afghanistan group, this timeline shows moments of great historical importance in Afghanistan.
Barakat Information
Information on Barakat and the Walk for Literacy.
