Are you smarter than a third grader?

When Greg and I were back in Canada in the Fall, we had the opportunity to visit Glenlyon Norfolk Elementary School in Victoria, BC. We met with the Grade 3 class who at the time were studying architecture. We showed some slides and our video and then opened up the floor to questions. What a bright and dynamic group they were! They had so many great questions and were very interested in Project Somos.

Two weeks ago I got an email from the teacher of the class asking if we could come in via Skype to follow up with the class. Of course, we agreed! Before the meeting they put together a list of questions for us. Here is the list:

Questions for Somos

• When you pick up all the litter and put it in the bottles, does it help all of the plants that grow there? 
• Why do so many people litter? Do you have recycling?
• How is the building going? Are you still making bottle bricks? Is the project almost finished?
• Are you noticing an improvement when you collect the plastic garbage for the building bottle bricks?
• How many eco bricks have you used so far?
• Are you going to plant a garden?
• How much modern technology will the houses have?
• How much money did this project cost?
• How many hours a day are they working?
• How many people are now living in the houses?
• Where do you get your clean water?
• Are the eco bricks becoming more popular in that country?
• Have there been any building problems?
• What sustainable technology are you using?

What a blast we had talking and sharing with this great group of kids! At the end of our Skype time, they shared something with us. They had been growing tomato plants from seeds and they were going to be selling the seedlings to parents after school that very day. Their plan was to raise some money for Project Somos!

Last Monday they asked if we could meet again because they had some news for us. At 2:45 we all gathered in front of our computers; the grade 3’s in their classroom in Victoria and us at my desk in Guatemala! One of the little boys came to the front of the class, stood in front of the computer and announced that they had successfully raised $164!!

Wowser! Way to go one and all! You have enough to “adopt” a wall in honour of your class! What an inspiration to us and to others!

We thank you for all your hard work and your support of Project Somos Children’s Village!

-Heather Alicia