Media Release

Clean Water for Sister School in Africa

CFIS students reach out to friends around the world and raise over $4,700

Calgary, Alberta – May 20, 2004 – Calgary French & International School will be able to dig TWO wells in Zambia’s Gwembe Valley so the school children there can have clean, fresh drinking water. The CFIS student council really dove into their last challenge collecting small change from the classrooms to ensure the success of Project Zambia. The flood of donations from students and families helped raise $4,785.60 (surpassing the goal of $4,500).

CFIS Principal, Darren Forrester, was moved when a parent and his kindergarten daughter came to his office with a substantial donation. The parent explained that instead of traditional gifts for her birthday his daughter had asked her friends who were attending her party to contribute financially to Project Zambia. “I was moved by this gesture of kindness, sacrifice and altruism and I was moved by how proud this young person was in knowing that she had made a real contribution to helping people. I will consider that moment as a highlight of this year,” said Forrester.

The challenge was set by CFIS partner and friend Colin Glassco, of the Colin B. Glassco Charitable Foundation for Children (a registered charity). Mr. Glassco is a strong supporter of children’s issues worldwide and has been actively digging water wells in Zambia for several years. “ One well can sustain a whole village (250 people or so) and can impact whether a school remains open,” said Glassco. Clean water for the village will reduce the incidence of Trachoma, an eye disease that affects 40% of the children in Zambia.

Wednesday, May 26th at 1pm, the entire School will be attending the cheque presentation to Mr. Glassco. CFIS will also be receiving a duplicate plaque exactly like the one adorning the well in Zambia. The presentations will take place in the CFIS gymnasium.

Last year Mr. Glassco and the grade 5 students collaborated on a class project which helped them establish a relationship with the Hauma Community School in Zambia’s Gwembe Valley. Letters, photos and school supplies have been helping build a connection between Canadian and African students. One of the two wells CFIS has funded will be at the Hauma Community School.

For the past 35 years, Calgary French & International School has prepared children to embrace the world around them and be active participants. The School fosters success in academics, athletics, music and fine arts all within a Language Immersion environment. It was Calgary’s first French Immersion School and established its French language program prior to the Royal Commission that led to the federal policy of official bilingualism. Currently, the School offers affordable French and Spanish Immersion education from pre-school to Grade 8 for approximately 480 students. The School plans to expand to grade 9 in September and will grow to grade 12 over the next three years.