Oprah’s people telephoned Sand Creek Intermediate teacher Annette Probst recently, and the call launched a special initiative at that school. SCI applied and was selected to participate in the O Ambassadors program, a joint project of Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network and Free the Children. It inspires young people to become active and compassionate global citizens by connecting youth in North America with disadvantaged children in the developing world. As part of O Ambassadors, SCI will work to find solutions to global challenges through active learning, idea-sharing and action said Probst.
SCI’s first organized event to support the program will be a “Movement for Change” marathon Friday, May 9, from 3-4:30 p.m. Students can stay after school and will be in constant motion for 90 minutes. They will take part in a variety of activities such as jump roping, hula hooping or learning the Electric Slide. Various SCI teachers and local personalities will entertain and keep students in motion. Students will donate a minimum of $5 to participate, and all funds collected will go to the Kids Can Free the Children organization.
Probst explained that the remainder of this year will be spent raising awareness among students about conditions in Africa relating to poverty, education and health. “Our students will examine the conditions that school-aged children face on a daily basis, and we will explore the possible solutions that could resolve these circumstances,” said Probst. She introduced the O Ambassadors initiative to students on her own team last Friday, and the rest of the student body will learn about the need and the program through individual classroom activities before the Movement for Change marathon.
O Ambassador groups can choose the world regions they want to research and support. Then projects provide children and families in those areas with the tools necessary to break the cycle of poverty.
