By Suzanne Laurent
LONDONDERRY — Sixth-grader Abby Wright and two classmates were assigned to study Haiti this semester in her social studies class at Londonderry Middle School.
The devastating earthquake on Jan. 12 was a lesson she wasn't expecting to learn.
"We had to research it and we saw the extreme poverty in that country," Abby said. "Now, it's just worse than ever."
Abby and her classmates on the Monsoon team asked teacher Kristen Brooks how they could help.
"The day after the earthquake, we all talked about it," Brooks said. "They were just learning that Haiti is the poorest of countries and they really get it."
The students began bringing in change and, as of last Friday, have collected $518.50 for the American Red Cross. This sum also includes the sale of "bookworms," brightly colored crocheted bookmarks donated to teacher Kate Wallace by her friend Mary Lou Hunt.
"I usually buy a bag of these for my students to give out at birthdays and such," Wallace said. "There are about 100 bookworms to a bag that I pay $10 for, but Mary Lou gave me a bag to use as a fundraiser."
Students purchased the bookworms for 50 cents apiece, raising $176 to add to the Monsoon team's total.
Both Brooks and Wallace were overwhelmed by the generosity of their students.
"I ran out of bookworms, but the kids donated change anyway," Wallace said.
The students also got permission from their parents to text donations to the Red Cross during class on their cell phones.
"They are so sympathetic," Brooks said. "They are very concerned that people will soon forget about all the work that needs to be done in Haiti beyond June when the school year is out."
That's why sixth-grader Caitlyn Johnson said she has an idea to hold a walk-a-thon and a game night in the spring.
"I look through the papers at home and bring in stories of good things that are happening, like people getting rescued after 10 days," Caitlyn said.
