School supplies for Zambia

BY HOLLIE WATSON

A group of West Island youth for whom altruism is its raison d’etre has embarked on its latest project in aid of the disadvantaged.

On the heels of its recent toy drive for underprivileged Montreal area children is its current campaign – one which will help provide rudimentary materials to students in a remote African village.

“What we’re doing is a collection of basic school supplies, including coloured pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, and notebooks,” said Saba Sabati, an animator with the Kirkland Junior Youth Group.

The drive got under way Sunday and will continue until Dec. 7.

“A fried of ours who used to be involved in the group had taken a year off between CEGEP and university to go to work as a volunteer at a school in Zambia,” Sabati explained, adding it was she who suggested the idea after witnessing the students’ plight first-hand.

“We’re hoping to fill about 20 shoeboxes in all.”

They should be able to reach that goal “if everybody involved gives a little something,” she said.

The enthusiastic teenagers are soliciting contributions in their local high schools, and will canvass their neighbourhoods. Other media outlets supporting their efforts are CFCF TV, which is publicizing the campaign, and radio station Mix 96, which will be announcing a special drop-off point for donations.

The group is also looking to raise funds to finance the cost of shipping the items abroad.

“Some people have asked why we don’t just raise and send money. But it’s very expensive to buy these things in the stores of Johannesburg,” Sabati said.

The dozen group members are strong believers in community service.

“We’re just finishing a puzzle which we’ll be delivering to clinics, and we’ve been knitting scarves for the needy. We’re also thinking of doing another post-Christmas food drive,” she said, adding, “we try to set an example to others.”

For more information or to donate to the campaign, call 514-835-6884.

Chronicle, Eric Carriere