Cumberland Students Sell Handmade Bracelets to Help Kenyan School

When students saw pictures of a school in Kenya where students are packed shoulder-to-shoulder, knees-to-back into a small classroom with tin walls, four fourth-grade girls took the extra initiative to raise funds for the school by selling handmade bracelets, hair bows and headbands during their summer break.

Cumberland Principal Jayne Heffron visited Valley View Academy in Nairobi, Kenya about three years ago when she heard about the school's needs from Shorewood native Stephanie Koczela, who is working with the school's officials to raise money and construct a new school building.

• To learn more about Valley View Academy and how you can donate to the fundraising effort, visit Koczela's website.

After Heffron gave a presentation to Cumberland students and parents about the fundraising effort upon her return, the school's PTO solicited funds by placing donation boxes decorated with pictures of Kenyan students in Cumberland classrooms. That effort raised $1,800, and in conjunction with a large donation from Princess Haya of Jordan and funds from the World Food Program, the construction began.

More than a year after Heffron's presentation to Cumberland students about Valley View Academy, the cause was still near and dear to the heart of four girls in particular — Brenna Hassler, Maddy Mooney, Grace Reynolds and Sophie Mahnke — who initiated their own fundraiser by selling colorful handmade bracelets, hair bows, headbands and other items out of duct tape. They also braided bracelets out of yarn.

"We saw how much they needed the money, and we love making bracelets out of duct tape, so we thought we would help them," Reynolds said.

The girls originally wanted to sell the bracelets at the school's family fun night last year, but with a heavy heart, Heffron told the girls that school policy prohibited them from selling anything on school grounds. Undeterred, the girls took the initiative to sell the bracelets outside of school during summer break. They also ran lemonade stands.

Overall, the girls raised nearly $50, and when word about the girls' efforts spread, three other people stepped forward with matching fund grants to contribute money to Valley View Academy.

"This has been so eye-opening for the kids, as well as the parents," Heffron said of the fundraising effort. "On my return trip to Nairobi, I brought an entire suitcase of soccer shoes and 35 T-shirts that parents had donated. It just warms my heart to see that these girls are so sensitive and generous at such a young age."