Social Justice - Cookiegrams/The Small Project

The Small Project, named after a relative, George Small, is also ‘small’ in the sense that it limits its focus by design. The Small Project helps impoverished children with limited opportunities attain an education. For roughly $1000-1500 a year, a Kenyan child in the program is provided with tuition, room and board, clothing and educational supplies. Those students, who likely would have been trapped in a cycle of poverty, are able to graduate and achieve good jobs which then allows them to help support their families and their communities. Mr. Taylor likens it to ripples spreading across a pond.

The CDS ripple was the more than $930 raised from the cookie sales. Added to this will be the proceeds from two dress down days, one in January and one in February. CDS was able to amplify the donation due to the kind generosity of the Longo family who donated the cookies for the campaign. This meant that every dollar from the sales went to The Small Project. Social Justice is grateful for their support.

In 2017, CDS took on two students, Onemus Kibuchi and Maureen Mwangi, who would have been in the equivalent of Grade 6 or 7. The annual CDS support enabled them to successfully progress through to graduate high school. This, normally, would be the end of the program, but both CDS sponsors were remarkable students who qualified for post-secondary education. Maureen has now completed a 2.5 year diploma in nursing and Onemus is pursuing a degree in surveying technology. Over the years, CDS students have been able to watch them progress through school and emerge with professional qualifications. In another metaphor, Mr. Taylor likens this to helping a few starfish back into the ocean on a beach covered in thousands of starfish. We may not be able to save everyone, but we can make a tremendous difference for a few.

Rex Taylor spoke at the Middle and Senior School assembly on February 3. In his address, he highlighted the progress of Maureen and Onemus, but he also described the other initiatives supported by The Small Project. Alongside education, there is a great need for medical help in rural Kenya where poverty and distance from medical centres can be barriers. It was a short but powerful overview with the overarching message that everyone can make a difference.