Coquitlam Sylvan Learning, together with 10 other Sylvan locations in British Columbia, has raised $10,000 to support Free the Children's Brick by Brick: Schoolbuilding Campaign.
Thanks to the generosity of Sylvan students, families and staff, the company has contributed a total of $76,000 since first participating in the campaign in 2008. Brick by Brick funds the creation of classrooms in countries where children would not otherwise receive an education.
"We believe in giving our students an opportunity to be active global citizens and to make a difference in local and international communities," says Kathleen Casprowitz, CEO of the 11 Sylvan Learning Centres that participated in the Brick by Brick campaign. "Our students should be very proud that their efforts will bring positive change to the lives of so many - they are giving the gift of a brighter future."
From Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, students purchased "bricks" to build a school from the ground up, either by donating tokens earned for their achievements in tutoring programs, or through a cash donation.
The average cost to build a school in the countries where Free the Children works is $8,500, an amount exceeded by Sylvan Learning. The funds raised by Sylvan this year will help build schools in the Massai Mara region of Kenya.
Sylvan Learning is now raising funds for another Free the Children campaign, We Create Change. Until Dec. 20, participating locations are collecting pennies as part of Canada's largest penny drive. The goal is to collect enough pennies to provide clean water to 100,000 people for life. A collection of 2,500 pennies - or just $25 - provides a permanent source of clean water for one person.
Participating Sylvan Learning Centres are located in Coquitlam, Langley, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Tsawwassen, White Rock, Surrey, Fleetwood, Abbotsford, and Kelowna.
For more information on Sylvan Learning, visit www.tutoringbc.ca
