The fight against poverty in Nicaragua is finding support from an unusual ally here in the Bow Valley.
Canmore is far removed from the troubles facing the Central American country, but a class of sixth-graders at École Notre-Dame des Monts has been raising money by growing and selling basil since the start of the school year.
Sasha Boucher, the class’s minister of communications, said the students have sold about 20 bags of basil, earning more than $300 so far.
“It’s been really fun,” said Boucher, who also helps in her family’s greenhouse at home.
The basil is being grown in two hydroponic towers purchased by the school last year to teach students about ecology.
Money raised by the drive is going toward funding a volunteer trip for students at FrancoSud schools across Alberta.
This would be FrancoSud’s third year of charity work in association with the Roots of Change Foundation’s Nicaragua projects.
Previous volunteer trips have involved FrancoSud students building communal gardens and other projects, according to Cantal Desgagné, who organized the trip.
The goal of the trip, Desgagné said, is to teach students how much we take for granted in Canada, and that basic necessities have a cost.
“We’re trying to develop responsible citizenship from our students,” said Desgagné.
“It’s part of the school board’s philosophy to go out there and open our minds to the world.”
Fundraising will continue after the trip is complete, and costs are being split with the residents of the communities the students are working in.
