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The Register-Pajaronian
September 13 , 2005
By Laura Norton and Amanda Schoenberg
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Students from high schools across Santa Cruz County gathered Sunday afternoon at Monte Vista Christian School to kick off a fund-raiser aimed at helping clear Afghani schools and playgrounds of landmines. Students at nearly every county high school will collect change between now and Dec. 3 for the groups Roots of Peace and Making Change Work, student-coordinated nonprofits dedicated to de-mining efforts.
"The amount you raise might seem small, but $100 can really change a life," said Making Change Work co-founder |
Kyleigh Kuhn, who spoke at the event. In Afghanistan, it’s estimated that 724 million square meters of ground are fraught with unexploded landmines. About 200 people die in mine explosions each month, according to the Roots of Peace Web site. Half of the dead are under 18 years old.
Roots of Peace was started in 1997 by San Rafael resident Heidi Kuhn to convert landmine zones into working farmland. In 2003, Kuhn’s daughter launched Making Change Work with KGO-TV anchor Cheryl Jennings to get teens involved in de-mining. Marin County teens then raised about $70,000 to make Afghanistan safer for kids. Santa Cruz County students are also planning car washes and other fund-raising activities.
