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Hanging on the wall of the fourth grade classroom at Charles River School (CRS) is a map of Africa dotted with pins. Each pin connects to a brightly colored string leading to a photo of a person in Africa.
These individuals are recipients of the classes’ microloans through Kiva, a nonprofit that connects people through lending to alleviate poverty.
Fourth graders have participated in this project for the past five years and, as the funds from previous loans continue to flow, fourth graders have given more than 400 loans to people in 27 African countries. This year’s has class has raised funds for 48 loans so far.
“I liked the wide variety of people to loan to. It feels good when you loan to people so their life and business can be better,” said student Michael Atkin.
This classroom-wide community service project is part of the students’ thematic study of Africa. Students research potential loan recipients and select people with whom they feel a connection. By studying particular countries and regions, students develop and affinity for those places and, consequently, the people from those places.
This experience presents students with real-world opportunities to extend their understanding of Africa and helps them gain financial literacy skills.
“Kiva gives our students the opportunity to ‘meet’ real entrepreneurs and understand how their community service work directly benefits the loan recipients’ lives – like helping them earn money for school fees for their children,” said Teresa Baker, fourth grade teacher at CRS. “By helping the entrepreneurs help themselves, students experience how their work can make a difference in the world.”
Students finance the loans through an annual bake sale. In addition to the Kiva project, each student also completes individual community service projects each month, helping them gain a sense of place and empowerment within their communities.
