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St. Joseph’s YVC club has bought a solar-powered lighting unit with money raised from its “Secret Valentine” fundraiser. “This is an impressive accomplishment for this club” exclaims Cody Torgerson, YVC Clubs in Schools Coordinator. “This small club of about 5 girls managed to raise the money in half the time they expected to and did so just by selling candies and flowers to their fellow students.”
 This purchase marks the first donation by a school club to the Wechiau Lighting Initiative, a project organized by the Calgary Zoo to benefit villagers living near the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, a Zoo conservation outreach project. This unit is one of 550 that the Zoo hopes to send over to this village in Ghana, West Africa.
These lights will allow the village to reduce their dependence on kerosene lamps for light after sunset, which will improve their quality of life by reducing their exposure to toxic kerosene fumes and reducing the amount spent on kerosene.
The club, only in its second year, looks to build on this momentum in the new year with a school improvement project. Already in their history they have collected over 100 clothing items for the Discovery House women’s shelter, made cards for Meals on Wheels recipients and have even participated in the Empty Bowls fundraiser organized with support from all YVC clubs in Calgary.
“The reason I joined the Youth Volunteer Corps is because I wanted to help out the school, community and the world. I just felt a need to volunteer, I’m glad I did because I learnt a lot and had fun volunteering,” Delilah Poon, Grade 9 student at St. Joseph School. “If everyone just helped out a little here and there, no matter how big or small it would have a great impact on society so I encourage you to volunteer in your community.”
“This club provides students with opportunities to use their unique skills and talents in an extra-curricular forum within school”, says Sharon Seward, Teacher at St. Joseph and the Club’s Facilitator.
If you are inspired by the efforts of these girls, go to the Canadian Hydro web page to find out more information about the Wechiau Lighting Initiative and how you can buy a unit. Canadian Hydro has raised enough money to buy over half of the 550 lighting units necessary and is helping other groups to fundraise for the rest. For more information on the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, go to the Calgary Zoo web page.
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St. Joe’s YVC gives the gift of love and light