Photo: Connecticut Musicians and School Unite With Kilimanjaro Charity to Build Classrooms in Africa

Photo: Connecticut Musicians and School Unite With Kilimanjaro Charity to Build Classrooms in Africa

CANTON, Conn., March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania stands thirty times higher than Avon Mountain in Connecticut. However, the children of Connecticut who live at the base of Avon Mountain have thirty times more educational opportunities than those children in Tanzania.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kef/32327/

Combating famine, disease, and woefully substandard education remain three of the most urgent needs for all third world countries. Without an effective education, the future looks very bleak for young people who are struggling to get an education even at the most fundamental level. Basic materials American students take for granted: school supplies, basic school buildings, and sanitary bathroom facilities are sorely lacking in many of these third world countries.

However American educators and students are highly attuned to these facts. One prime example of this social awareness can be found at Canton Intermediate School in Canton, Connecticut. Teachers, Patrick Allen and Andy Buckle decided to lend their support to spreading education in Africa by teaming up with the Kilimanjaro Education Foundation (KEF), a non-profit organization aimed at improving education and building school facilities in Africa.

Allen and Buckle, both originally from England, collaborated in writing and recording a CD of 14 original songs which reflect and highlight the stark differences and similarities between local students and those living many thousands of miles away. The album, titled Through the Same Eyes, features backing vocals by 6th grade students from Canton Intermediate School.

"When I wrote the title track, Through the Same Eyes, I was trying to imagine what it would be like to live the way the children in Tanzania do," said Andy Buckle. "I wanted to compare my life, our students' lives, and the lives of those around me, with African children. I used photographs supplied by KEF for much of my inspiration."

Both Allen and Buckle were very keen from the start to use this work and effort as inspiration to their students to take on a social issue with passion and conviction and to do something about it. This is a theme of work for many 6th graders as they work on a social action project during the year. Sixth grade students and staff have also pitched in to help in a variety of fundraising efforts in tandem with KEF.

"Part of the C.I.S. mission is to create an awareness of the importance of community and community service," said Patrick Allen. "The upcoming talent show, pen pal campaign, and CD, are all great initiatives that show how C.I.S. creates a school culture that accepts responsibility for actions and recognizes how actions affect others. I am very proud of the entire six grade and their call for social action."

Buckle, Allen and the community of Canton Intermediate School hope to raise enough money to build a classroom estimated to cost around $13,000 (U.S.) with the help of KEF. The school they aim to help is just outside of Arusha in a village called Olturoto where you can see Kilimanjaro and its sister mountain Meru.

The CD can be purchased online by visiting www.kef4kids.org and making a minimum donation of $10.00. The CD will also be available for distribution at Canton Intermediate School. All proceeds will go to the Kilimanjaro Education Foundation, who will then use the dollars to fund the development of school buildings in Tanzania.

"The parents and teachers of Olturoto Village were overjoyed to hear the news about the CD and the hopes of it raising enough money to build a new classroom," said Todd Grossman, founder of KEF. "C.I.S. is doing something very wonderful and I look forward to seeing the many smiles on the faces of the Olturoto students as they study and learn in their new classroom."

Canton Intermediate School (C.I.S.) serves a population of approximately 400 students, grades four through six and has a proud tradition and reputation of being a school with high standards in academic preparation and a school devoted to a child's well being. C.I.S. utilizes the "responsive classroom" approach to teaching and learning that fosters safe, challenging, and positive classrooms. Canton Intermediate School believes that a child's success is directly related to school, home, and community partnership.

Kilimanjaro Education Foundation (KEF), founded in 2006, is incorporated in New York State and organized as a 501(c)(3). KEF strives to improve education and to build school facilities for underprivileged children in Tanzania and other countries bordering Kilimanjaro. KEF's volunteers and directors share in and impart not only the Foundation's passion for children and education, but also in KEF's core values of honesty, integrity, creativity and imagination.

For further information contact:

Todd Grossman
Kilimanjaro Education Foundation
Tel: 646.461.6157
todd.kef@gmail.com

Andy Buckle
Canton Intermediate School
Tel: 860.693.7717
abuckle@cantonschools.org

Patrick Allen
Canton Intermediate School
Tel: 860.693.7717
pallen@cantonschools.org

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Video:

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kef/32327
Source: Kilimanjaro Education Foundation (KEF); Canton Intermediate School

CONTACT: Todd Grossman, Kilimanjaro Education Foundation,
+1-646-461-6157, todd.kef@gmail.com; or Andy Buckle,
abuckle@cantonschools.org, or Patrick Allen, pallen@cantonschools.org, both of
Canton Intermediate School, +1-860-693-7717

Web site:

http://www.kef4kids.org/

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