Colonia High School

For one week, the entire student body and faculty of Colonia High School participate in some aspect of exploring the Darfur crisis during Dare to Care week. All 1500 students and 120 staff attended an assembly featuring Dr. Ehrlich, from the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group Doctors Without Borders. Students raised over $3200 by selling t-shirts, bracelets, and “kisses for kids” (Hershey kisses), and ribbons for hat day. Some of the funds were donated to Help Darfur Now.org and the rest was used to buy 100 solar cookers to enable women to cook safely within the confines of their camps. All 32 social studies classes taught lessons on Darfur daily, with current daily updates also covered. English classes wrote reflective or persuasive essays regarding student opinions on the crisis in Darfur as well as letters to politicians, articles for the school newspaper, and creative writing. The school community donated enough supplies to create 37 school kit bags to be sent to children in Darfur. Post-event surveys revealed an increased knowledge about the Darfur crisis. Students also discussed their own awareness of the importance of civic responsibility and compassion toward others.