February, le mois de la gentillesse (the month of kindness), is about helping out and being generous.
École du Pacifique, the francophone elementary school based in Sechelt, wanted to celebrate the month of friendship again this year. Last year, they were singing French songs for Shorncliffe residents. Smiles, tears and humming were part of this special moment. This year, students and teachers made a meal for 20 people for the Sechelt shelter, situated behind St. Hilda’s church.
The school wanted to support its community and educate the students about helping out and being generous. Helping is about offering our time, supporting somebody or a cause, and generosity is as simple as offering something to eat, a smile and a nice word.
To do so, on Monday, Feb. 20, the school prepared a five-course meal. This was an occasion to talk about our basic necessities – water, food and shelter – and to broaden students’ knowledge through this act of generosity. It was an opportunity to practise cooking skills and to learn from the various curricula: simple French vocabulary, thermic energy, transformation of matter, measuring quantities and interconnections of the individual towards the community.
Thanks to the work of volunteers and generous people, the shelter was open at 4 p.m. and staff from the school delivered the many casseroles and pots. They were welcomed with big smiles, thoughtful comments and many thanks.
– Submitted
