A few (OK, eight?) years ago, my small group at church decided to collect our extra change in a big jar-we called it the “goat fund”.  We had decided to save up enough money to donate a goat to a family somewhere in the world through World Vision.  I remember we purchased the goat (donated the funds to World Vision, who then sent us a thank you note with a goat on it!) and thought ‘well, that was pretty cool.’ My husband and I continued to support the program.

Fast forward a few years and my students needed a way to participate in our global community.  We read Beatrice’s Goat and the corresponding non-fiction articles about Heifer International, and my students decided they wanted to participate in funding an agricultural gift. (Yes, they decided.  “Could WE?  Can KIDS?  How?” They lead our learning adventures too!)

So I developed (spoiler alert: reinvented a wheel) an incentive program for my students based on the Accelerated Reader points earned by our class working together as a unit.  For every ONE point they earned answering questions on the computer program about books they read, I would donate 10 cents.  We used our math skills to determine a goal for the year (600 points), and then we began!  Two students asked if they could make an “AR” jar for extra, optional coin donations.  After some clear parent communication and an OK from the front office, I gave them the go ahead.  In June, they had earned over 660 points, and with our coins and my pledge, they had roughly $80 to spend.  I created a voting ballot with options within our budget, and then after a class consensus (and some passionate debate!) we (I) purchased the agreed items.  Then my class apparently waited for the chickens and the goat to arrive at the school.  Eagerly.

So then I went back and did a better job explaining how that actually works.  (Hint- they provide the animals directly to the communities/families.  For some reason they do not use third graders as the middle men in this situation.) Anyway, a successful foray into this sort of idea.

The next year my class was determined to top the previous year’s goal.  Our class earned $112 in gifts for communities around the world. The voting got more exciting. The debates got more lively. (I also had acquired a few more texts on the topic and the kids were really getting into it.)

I was feeling pretty awesome about my ingenuity. Imagine my surprise when I came across this little gem when researching for my grant…..

HA! Great minds?  So I humbly decided to join Heifer’s Read to Feed program this past year, and invite families to pledge funds along with me for every point their child earned. (Completely optional of course!) And wouldn’t you know it- MY CLASS EARNED OVER $400 this year.

Not only that, but another third grade class bravely joined in our Lead/Read/Feed adventures.  Not only did that raise more funds, it actually inspired a friendly & healthy reading competition between our classes!

Kids CAN make a difference! And if this interests you, there are a few wonderful organizations that make it possible for you to pass on the gift.

World Vision:  “World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.”

Heifer International:  “Heifer International’s mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.”

Kiva:“Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 and based in San Francisco, with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. We celebrate and support people looking to create a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.”