Calgary Islamic School students help raise $67K to help earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria
Students at Calgary Islamic School have raised thousands of dollars to help earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria.
Two major earthquakes and several aftershocks in early February left more than 50,000 people dead and millions displaced.
It hits close to home for Grade 3 student Hamza Kadouri.
"I got very sad about the people who died and my grandma is also living in Syria, but she never died," he said.
Shortly after the earthquakes, Nancy Ferris, a kindergarten teacher at Calgary Islamic School, decided to team up with Islamic Relief Canada on a fundraiser for emergency relief efforts.
The initial goal was $7,500.
"At the time, I was like, well, this is going to be a little bit difficult, but that's OK," Ferris said.
"Whatever we get, you know, even if it's $2,000, $3,000, it's helping somebody, it's helping families."
However, in just four days, the students raised nearly double the goal, with $13,000. From there, it snowballed to more than $67,000.
"We were all just absolutely blown away and so touched by the way that our school community came together in the short amount of time to support these people that were in such desperate need," Ferris said.
Ferris has led other fundraising initiatives with the school in the past, including for the people of Yemen.
"That's what kind of helped me to continue to do this work is the students and their care and their compassion and their generosity," she said.
The money for this latest fundraiser came in all forms; from students' piggy-bank savings to lunch money and donations from family.
"People right now in the world don't have houses, don't have food, don't have water, and they're struggling, so I know that I should help," said Zaid Mian, a Grade 7 student.
Fariza Saif, another Grade 7 student, says it feels good to help out.
"In the end, it doesn't matter how much you give, it just depends on the thought behind it and overall, your intention," she said.
"These kids made waves. They made an impact and for us at Islamic Relief, it inspired all of us," says Kohawar Khan, Alberta regional fundraising manger for Islamic Relief Canada.
The generosity comes as the holy month of Ramadan begins.
“It is very, very important in our faith that we give back because we’re all interconnected,” said Hanan Haydar, vice-principal of Calgary Islamic School.
“We don’t just take care of our families and that’s it. We’re all connected and we all support one another.”
On Wednesday, Kohawar Khan, Alberta regional fundraising manger for Islamic Relief Canada, presented a plaque to Haydar and Ferris to recognize the school's fundraising efforts.
"These kids made waves. They made an impact and for us at Islamic Relief, it inspired all of us," Khan said.
Islamic Relief Canada will use the money to provide shelter, food, heating materials, hygiene kits and medical support for earthquake victims.
"For the kids to realize that they're so powerful, they're so strong, and the work that they do really makes a difference," Khan said.
People can still donate on the Islamic Relief Canada website.
Shortly after the earthquakes, Nancy Ferris, a kindergarten teacher at Calgary Islamic School, decided to team up with Islamic Relief Canada on a fundraiser for emergency relief efforts.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.