Paddington Academy Helps Haiti

The Earthquake in Haiti on January 13th shocked the world. The pictures of the destruction and the despair
touched us all. A small group of Year 11 students, so moved by what was happening in Haiti decided they needed to do something to try and help.

There were no grand plans for sponsored activities instead these students selected a short clip fromthe many that were on You Tube. They visited all the tutor groups and showed this brief clip. They then set about the serious business of collecting money. Year 11 students were helped by Year 8 who were able to raise even more money by selling Vala-grams. Valagrams are cards that a student might send to a friend with a nice message inside along with a rose. They were a huge success. Students of particular note were Joan Al-Assam, Ahmad Abou Khachab, Adam Ahmed, Lisa-Rose Williams and Aisha Hajjaj. No student was missed; no member of staff could escape the power of the shaken envelope! No-one watching the clip could help but feel moved.

Staff and students were all incredibly generous and presented Emily Maskell from Save the Children with a
cheque for £1111.53. Hannan Boufas and Khaoula Hamaili represented the Academy during the Year 11 assembly and were proud to be able to offer this donation to Emily. Students were shown a brief dvd detailing the work that Save The Children have already been able to do to help Haitians, and Emily explained that there is still more to do and that every penny matters. Save the Children are still gratefully accepting donations from across the UK.

Our students continue to make us feel enormously proud of their social, ethical and global responsibility.