Helping Ukraine through Project Based Learning

One of the aspects of Project Based Learning is bringing deep sense of meaning into what students are doing during their learning. Knowing that the things you do are going to be change making  for other people drives the motivation of students to persist and do quality work. Another characteristic of project based learning is connecting learning to real world situations. The project that Humanities teacher at High Tech High International and I decided to embark on with our 9th grade students was more relatable to the real world than any other. The idea of the project came when we were talking with Janelle (the Humanities teacher) about the helplessness that people feel when being challenged with wars, catastrophes and other big-scale issues. How small one feels when cannot act to help the situation. We came with an idea of organizing a fundraising event to help the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and human principles. Our plan was to have children to go through the whole process of event organization from learning about the history of Ukraine, about the Russia-Ukraine war, identifying the ares of need for people in Ukraine, setting the goal as well as organizing and running the event itself. Our reality was a scarce amount of funds to kick the event of, that is why we were focusing on getting as much people and businesses involved that could either give us a discount or offer services for free. Children partnered with Help Ukraine Now which is a nonprofit organization  co-founded by three Ukrainians and which provides relief for Ukrainians in Ukraine since the beginning of full-scale war in February this year. Help Ukraine Now provided necessary support for children in terms of learning opportunities and resources to organize the fundraising event.

The children set to raise $22 000 to provide food and medicine for the most affected areas in Ukraine as they felt it was a relatively satisfying amount of money to make an impact but is not too out of the area of reach. During two and a half months children as well as teachers were tirelessly working to organize the event. We chose Liberty Station South Promenade as our venue and started emailing and calling businesses to invite to be part of the event. 

Children also learned Ukrainian traditions like making “Motanka” doll and embroidery and started preparing workshops for the event as well as creating art for the auction. Some students worked on creating a commercial video for the event while others made posters and put them up in High Tech schools as well as talked to businesses to cooperate with us. For us, teachers, managing both 9th grades at times felt a lot and we were at “boiling points” a few times before we actually put this event together. When the day of the event came all the staff of High Tech High International as well as children and Help Ukraine Now were positively surprised with the way the event turned out in the end of all our hard work together. There were many interesting workshops, delicious Ukrainian and local food, bouncy castle, performances by Ukrainian Gymnastics team from Kharkiv as well as wonderful music from a local DJ and live performances of Ukrainian singers. Around 300 attendees came to enjoy this beautiful event with their families and support Ukrainian people in their effort of fighting for freedom and democracy values. 

For children learning that people in Ukraine who found out about this event and work being put into it felt so much gratitude was the most profound moment in this learning journey. People in Ukraine were deeply touched that people across the Globe, no, let me paraphrase it, CHILDREN across the Globe care about the lives of other people and are willing to make a difference. Kids knowing that they were making a difference for someone they don’t personally know made a great impact on themselves. I saw eyes lit up and their motivation enhance immensely over the period of putting this fundraiser together. 

Their effort did pay off. We raised $9660. It is not the amount of money that we hoped for, but this sum can truly make a difference. Imagine this, a bunch of 9th graders organized a fundraiser and earned enough money to make a difference for people across the world. We already know where the money are going to be spent. We are going to buy a transportation vehicle, load it with humanitarian aid such as food and medical supplies and deliver it to the frontline in Ukraine.

I am feeling most grateful for and  to all the people in my life.  

To learn more about High Tech High go to https://www.hightechhigh.org

To learn more about the aid provided to Ukraine go to helpukrainenow.foundation and to follow the work we are doing join us on instagram helpukrainenow_sandiego.