Darlington: Treetops HS students support charity organisation

A MOVE by Darlington students to provide micro-financing for small business ventures through a charity organisation is thriving in the school.

Treetops High School Year 12 student Madison Lamb introduced not-for-profit charity Kiva to the school last year and has mentored other students to ensure the school initiative continues.

Kiva provides micro funding to people who may not be able to get funds or loans to run small businesses, allowing lenders to offer support to people in third world countries.

She launched the school project as part of the International Baccalaureate Community, Action, Service program.

“I chose Kiva because it is such a wonderful non-profit organisation where you know your loans are going to motivated and innovative people,” Madison said.

“You can help so many people because once the loan is repaid you can reloan it.

“Usually people have projects that will benefit not only themselves but their family and communities, so by lifting one you lift many.”

Year 11 students Jemma Speight and Lauryn Williams asked Madison to mentor them so they could carry on the Kiva Treetops program.

They have since introduced the concept to upper primary students who have worked together in groups to choose projects to donate to.

By the end of the term all loans were repaid and the students were in a position to choose another one.

Deputy principal Jayne Simpson said the program had brought groups of students together to work independently.

“They have achieved their aims consistently and are going forward from a privileged position with a greater awareness of the needs and determination of those less fortunate than themselves,” she said.

Jemma and Lauryn will run the activity with different year groups throughout the school and will next year pass it down to the next Year 11 students.

For more about the charity, visit kiva.org.

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