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" . WATI:RLUO CHRONICLE . Wednesday, March I9, 2008 e last place local high-school student I Daniel Burd thought he would learn about the plight of African children was while on a family vacation in Vienna, Austria. But when well-known European artist Peter Criiy, a family friend, showed Burd a DVD about impoverished schools on that continent, Burd knew that something had to be done. WCI student holds pencil drive to help out African kids "lt made me realize I have access to every- thing education, food and shelter, while stu- dents in Africa really have nothing," the Waterloo collegiate institute pupil said. The one stiiistic that malfy grabbed Burd's attention was the pencil to student ratio. - "Everyone thinks about giving money, but one of the most overlooked issues is school supplies," he said. _ - _ - The Grade IO student learned that on average one pencil is shared by nine students in African classrooms. which can impair their ability to learn, "Peopie assume that there is education there, but there really isn't. Not the way it is here." Sihce there is typically only one textbook per class, students have to copy lessons and notes directly hom the book. A But if there aren't enough pencils, some children might not get the chance to take notes or the lessons might drag on while kids are copying the text, the 16-year-old said. Bui'd, tile charity contfoller on student council at WCI, decided to hold a pencil drive. It's a simple idea but the ramifications could be far more significapt, Burg said: "If we can give ihem the tools to learn. that's one way to help a child out of poverty," he said. "They then become leaders in the com- munity. It might seem small, but the more they learn, the bigger the result." - A - Beginning onNiarch 3, Burd and his peers BYGREG MACDONMD C_hronii:leP_alr, Waterloo collegiate institute student Daniel Burd is organizing a drive to collect pencils for African students. His goal is to raise 1,400 pencils. use may? GREG WM mom or 519-884-8590. started a campaign for every homeroom at WCI to collect new and unused pencils to send overseas. As of last week, the school had collected more than 800 pencils Burd's final goal is one pencil per student, which would be about 1,400 in total. He said the response has been enthusiastic so far. "This is something people hadn't really even considered, but it makes a big differ- ence," he said. Craig Nickel, a teacher and student activi- ties director at WCI, said he's pleased with the response. "lt's remarkable how supportive people are of our charity initiatives," Nickel said. While the school is known for it generosity and charity drives, the pencil drive rtlled a much-needed hole in WCI's program, the teacher said. "Part of our outreach is local. We work with food drives and do Relay For Life. but this is an example of something that stretch- es across the ocean," Nickel said. It's important to help the less fortunate. wherever they may be, Burd said. - _ "We're afindihiuais but we all make up one very diverse world," hersaid. _ - A “Wei? one world full of people and there are many problems that can be fixefi.i' To donate to the pencil drive, bring new and unused pencils to WCI at 300 Hazel St. in Waterloo. For more information call 519-885-7470, "This is something people hadn't really even considered, but it makes a big difference." -- Daniel Burd WC! student In a rare role reversal, Waterloo firefighters will be turning up the heat instead of putting it out later thismonth. That's because a group of off- duty officers will take to the stage at Revolution night club on March 27 to raise money for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. The Hot Night in the City won't just be a fashion show. Mike Noo- nan of the Water- loo firefighters association. told city council on Monday. "ft's a fashion show with a twist," he said. "We've got a cho- reographer who has done the CFL Grey Cup halftime show and worked with Dick Clark productions, so you can expect something spe- Hot Night in City on March 27 Tickets for the event cost $20 and are available by calling 1-800-265- 4127.