West Hartford residents participates in read-a-thon for girls in Kenya

Watkinson Middle School students raised $4,000  for a public service project called "Beads for Education".  The students had a read-a-thon where they collected pledges to support their reading.  For the past six years, the students have committed to sponsoring African girls in Kenya for a year of high school education. 

The goal of the program is to provide a quality education for those young women who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  BEADS started with Maasai mothers making and selling beaded items to raise money to put their daughters through school.  After this, sponsors were provided for tuition money needed to pay for a year of schooling.  The sponsored girls sent letters, pictures and progress reports back to Watkinson supporters that kept them up to date.  If you are interested in learning more about the BEADS program you can visit their website at www.beadsforeducation.org

In Photo 109: Hamish Robb of West Hartford and a 7th grader at Watkinson School

Photo taken by Stacy Routhier

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