The PTA is excited about Cider Mill's decision to support the “Pennies
for Peace” program and has set a goal to fundraise $12,000 to
build a school in a disadvantaged area in Afghanistan or Pakistan. If you have not heard about this program yet, you soon will, as a
letter from Principal Rico introducing the project is being sent home
with the children. The “Pennies for Peace” program arose out
of one man’s desire to pay a debt to a small village in
Pakistan, and has grown into an organization that has built and
financed approximately 70 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, as
well as necessary public works projects. In the region, education is
often non-existent for girls and hard to find for boys. Educating
the children of these communities, particularly the girls, leads to
lower infant mortality rates, better health care and hygiene and
greater economic stability and an ability to participate in our
global community. Education can also play a strong role in
preventing conflicts around the world. For more information on the
program please see the following web sites: www.ikat.org,
www.threecupsoftea.com,
or www.penniesforpeace.org. For your convenience, Principal Rico's letter and the work contract to help build a school,which were sent home with all Cider Mill students, are posted here. Pennies for Peace The Pennies for Peace results are in! We have raised over $18,000! Congratulations to our entire school community as well as the Wilton Community for this extraordinary accomplishment. Not only have we provided the funds to build a school ($12,000) in a poor region of the world, we are able to provide additional funds for a teacher and books to outfit the school. The efforts made by students, parents and teachers were extraordinary and very moving. We have truly made a difference in this world, as the school to be built will undoubtedly impact a village for generations to come. To celebrate and acknowledge our accomplishment, we will be holding 2 school assemblies next Tuesday and will have the Director of Pennies for Peace at our assembly to receive the check. A small contingent from Cider Mill will also be going to the United Nations the following Friday to meet with Greg Mortenson personally to present the check. We will also have the Pennies for Peace Director, Christiane Lettinger, do a presentation for our community at the Wilton Library. She will be talking about Greg's work and providing time for a question and answer period. She will be speaking from 12:30-1:30 on Tuesday, January 27th. No reservations are needed. Bring a friend! Thank you for helping your children with this incredible cause. Sincerely, Kevin Meehan Sara Quantock |