Carmondean Primary pupils raise cash for Haiti

Feb 11 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

PUPILS at a Livingston school have played their part in helping victims of the Haiti earthquake.

The Pupil Council from Carmondean Primary School were so shocked by the devastation caused by the disaster they decided to organise a “Dress Down Day of Colour” for the whole school.

Pupils and staff were asked to donate £1 to dress in casual clothes and wear the colours of the Haiti flag for the day, instead of their usual school uniform.

Pupils arrived in school dressed in red, blue, green and yellow with some pupils going the extra mile and changing the colour of their hair or using face paints to paint the flag of Haiti on their cheeks.

In addition, Pupil Council members decided to ask all families to donate £1, which they placed on a large map of Haiti.

This was displayed in the main entrance, which encouraged visitors to the school to contribute to the fundraising.

The children’s effort raised £778.38 to help the relief effort in the Caribbean country.

Through the curriculum, pupils learned about Haiti and how it is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, and that it lies on the hurricane belt, which means it has been repeatedly battered by devastating storms over the past decade.

As writing is a major part of this year’s improvement plan, P4 pupils produced a report on the earthquake which they will enter into a Mary’s Meals competition.