Mary A. Lee

"Haiti Solidarity Club: Sustainable Giving Project" is a program developed by Lee, a theology teacher at Cheverus High School, to promote learning about the economies of developing countries and ways for students to contribute to the easing of global poverty. Lee's project provides student/club members with one feasible, self-sustaining solution - micro loans. Students research and learn about lending small sums of money to aspiring entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to help individuals break the cycle of dependency. Participants develop compassion and solidarity for the developing world and become future investors in ways that are self-sustaining. Information about micro-loaning institutions is presented as well as success stories and simple concrete ideas about how to get involved. This program also teaches the club's 65 members and the 200 students affected by the project about the challenges of starting a small business in the developing world, while creating solidarity with the loan recipients. Thus, students in the Cheverus "Haiti Solidarity Club Micro-Loan Project" will learn the importance of sustainable giving for the rest of their lives. Lee resides in Portland. Deb L. Rosa and Rachel White (2008) Sanford Junior High Sanford, ME After learning about the consequences of food waste, Sanford Junior High students created a fictional company called "Waste-Busters LLC". The company's goals are to observe practices, record findings, analyze data and take action regarding school cafeteria food waste. Seventh and eight grade students discuss the consequences of food waste and its impact on the school, the local community and globally. They are learning about the science of composting and the replication of nature's natural system of breaking down materials. They've designed and built compost bins for their school and will use compost to plant vegetables, flowering plants, bushes and trees in the school and the community. Students will design and build a Full Circle "Green Foot-Print Walking Path" with informational signs on how food waste can come "full circle" by being recycled into compost and helping in the growth of plants and vegetables. This project not only raises students' level of awareness, but it also prepares them to become "Waste-Buster Activists" for life.