Students of High Tech High International in San Diego helped to organize a fundraiser for Ukraine in collaboration with non-profit organization Help Ukraine Now. The initiative was started as a 9th-grade students’ semester project. High Tech High schools are project-based schools that teach children real-life skills necessary for a modern world job market.
As a part of the project, High Tech High International (HTHI) students set the goal of raising $22 000 to provide medical and humanitarian help for people in Ukraine in the most affected areas. The children of HTHI were responsible for the entire event organization such as finding the entertainment, inviting food vendors, organizing workshops, setting up and cleaning the location, finding all the necessary supplies, and contacting the donors willing to help the cause. The workshops included Ukrainian embroidery, outdoor games, “Motanka'' doll workshop, T-shirt painting, face painting, and jewelry making. The students got a chance to learn deeper about Ukrainian history and culture, about the war, and the way it affects regular people. The students had a chance to connect with Ukrainian young women who had to flee their hometowns and seek refuge in other countries. Moreover, High Tech students practiced their soft skills as they had to seek solutions to different problems, and create and collaborate with one another and other people in the community to make the event happen.
On the day of the event, the students from the 10th and 11th grades volunteered for the setup and taking down at the location. As a result, more than a hundred students were involved in this impactful event.
In a joint effort, children of HTHI and members and volunteers of Help Ukraine Now managed to raise $9660. Even though we did not raise the aimed amount, we are more than satisfied with the impact we are able to make with the funds donated to us.
