Years ago we stopped calling our school fundraising efforts Change for Change drives, in favor of Earn It.  Change for Change had very little impact on students. The majority simply asked their parents for change, collected what little change was around their house, and put whatever they collected in a jar in their classroom. That was it, mission accomplished.

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  Afghan girls take a computer class

  Students learn, at a young age, how important it is to help people who are less fortunate and to take personal responsibility for making a difference.

• Students are very creative in what they decide to do and often work together.

• Students know and own what their dollars buy (i.e. desks, playground equipment, fruit trees, foot bridges etc.)Every school that participates supports two Afghan children through our sponsorship program. TIE reports to them annually on the progress of the children they’re supporting. Their Earn It dollars completely alter the lives of the Afghan children they support.

• For many, it’s the first time they have been called upon to earn money. They are proud of what they earn and get a better sense of the value of a dollar.

• Finally, students are asked to and many do embrace the view that their world includes more than themselves, their family and local community.

1) Presenting a community’s needs and defining a specific objective. Budd MacKenzie, TIE’s founder, will present TIE’s mission at an interactive assembly (the entire school can be invited to participate or it can be grade specific) — in person or via Skype, if outside of the Bay Area. Presentations enable children to learn about people living on the margin. Specifically, the people and children of Afghanistan. At the end of presentation, teachers and students together will vote on which need(s) to address and set a fundraising goal. It could be anything from raising money to purchase tablets for a classroom of kids on which educational videos can be uploaded to purchasing and installing school playground equipment at a village school. The possibilities are many.

Not every student will participate. And that’s okay. The same istrue of all drives. But an increasing number are and we are encouraged those kids who are stepping up when called upon to help Afghan children and their families.

It has really turned into a great class project. I just wanted you to know how my students are responding to your call of action and at the same time are having fun. – Angeline Korzzeniewski, second grade teacher at Happy Valley Elementary in Lafayette, CA

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We learned to be persistent, to follow through on commitments, and also what happens when you put your mind to a task. – 4th and 5th grade students at Corte Madera School, Portola Valley, CA

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I think TIE is very important because it gives you some important life skills like service learning and knowing that there are kids less fortunate than you. Overall, I think that TIE is very important as it should be that everyone should sponsor a child if they live here. – Andre

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I loved talking with the kids who we raised money for, and it made me feel good inside. It was cool to see that kids and people in Afghanistan we have helped for awhile. I love doing projects, art and baking to help the kids to get off the streets.- Riley

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I felt like they needed me, and I felt like, well, I felt really good about it. I can’t even explain how happy I felt. It helped me see how much it mattered to them.   – Olivia