Students learn value of helping others through unique program

A simple program has helped grade 2 students at Rockwood Centennial Public School learn the value of helping others.

Deepti Celetti’s class recently completed the Who Is Nobody? program, during which students transform a nondescript denim doll named “Nobody” into “Somebody” through each individual’s work on a charitable or community outreach project.

“I just think it gave them a sense that every little bit of action helps,” Celetti told the Advertiser last week. She added it is important for children to learn that not everything is about them.

The 20 students in her class each documented their experience helping others via a story and picture, and physically added something to Nobody, transforming the doll into a Somebody with differed characteristics and qualities, thanks to their actions.

“I wanted to help fish or whatever animals that live in the water,” said Ethan, who for his contribution chose to help clean up garbage at the local conservation area.

Classmate Emma sold bookmarks and donated about $250 in proceeds towards sponsoring a child in Africa, while Aidan sold Popsicles and gave $315 to Unicef to help with aid relief in Syria, and Owen sold cookies and cupcakes and gave $100 to help the polar bears at the Toronto Zoo.

But not all projects involved a financial donation.

“I didn’t raise any money, I just wanted to help them,” said Ella, who helped seniors and also was one of several students to collect food for he East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) food bank.

Emily said she was able to help two people without hair who are forced to wear a wig due to illness by cutting her own hair for charity.

“They really appreciated it,” she said.

Others collected toys and clothes for charities, including a few students who helped raise money for Christmas gifts for the less fortunate, and one  student shovelled snow for an elderly neighbour.

There were several local beneficiaries, in addition to EWCS, of the class’ Who Is Nobody? program, including the annual Avery’s Bravery Race in Rockwood, the Guelph Humane Society and Guelph General Hospital.

Other projects included a fundraiser to help sharks, aid for the Salvation Army; and a book fair to help a family friend purchase a wheelchair van.

The program also includes a component that involves the entire class. Celetti said since the Rockwood school backs onto the conservation area, the students chose to help clean the school yard.

During that project the students were surprised to uncover a large amount of dog feces in their yard, which prompted the class to write letters to the school principal, the caretaker, the board’s director of education and the Advertiser.

“Please don’t bring your dogs to our school property - or if you do, keep them on a leash and clean up their mess,” the letter stated. “If we all work together, maybe we can make dog poop extinct in our school yard.”

Celetti said overall, in addition to helping others, the Who Is Nobody? program also had a positive effect on her students.

“They talk about it all the time and they’re very encouraging of each other,” she said.