Will Tardio and Opiyo Dennis of Unified for Unifat, an organization that aids a school in northern Uganda, speak to students at Mason Intermediate on Oct. 5, 2012. Photo provided
A school assignment on letter writing has helped teach life lessons to students at Mason Intermediate.
Fourth grade students in Christine Work’s class developed a pen pal project with Ugandan students through the nonprofit organization Unified for Unifat. The student-run organization supports the Upper Nile Institute Appropriate Technology school, a primary school of 1,500 students in northern Uganda.
Representatives of the organization visited students earlier this month. Will Tardio, a Moeller graduate and organization co-founder, and Opiyo Dennis, an organization mentor, taught Mason students games, dances and music enjoyed by children at the Ugandan school.
The project was inspired by student Kellan Ring. Kellan’s mother, Connie Ring, co-founded Unified for Unifat seven years ago at Moeller High School, where she is a math teacher.
Students continue to learn about the culture and history of the war-torn country. Throughout the school year, the class will be collecting supplies and helping to raise $350 to sponsor a child to attend the private school, said Work.
“With ‘Reaching Out’ being the initiative of Mason teachers and students this year, we are really excited for this opportunity to make a difference,” she said.
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