Columbus Sunday School class builds ark of animals

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Kathy Warner was pulled aside by one of the students in her second- and third-grade Sunday school class several months ago. The student's request - to send an ark of animals to impoverished families all over the world.

For five years now Kathy's class has been sending money to Heifer Project International, a program that donates animals to poor communities around the world. Upon arrival, Heifer representatives educate the community about animal management, nutrition and food processing. Villages are then encouraged to pass the offspring of the donated animals and their new knowledge on to nearby communities. The goal of the program is to create self-reliance and encourage a system of community and sharing.

But when Kathy was approached about sending a whole ark, her response was that the class did not have the $5,000 needed for such an endeavor. The student replied by saying she thought they could raise the money with the help of their church and the tight-knit community of Columbus. Kathy's class immediately took to the idea and children began asking their congregation as well as their community to participate in fundraising efforts.

The children were able to raise the money in five weeks and one day through several large donations from anonymous donors and efforts at food stands and car washes. Their efforts will buy an ark of 15 animals and help over 30 families in need.

Both Kathy and the children say this project would not have been possible without the help of God and the members of their church and community. They say all the hard work they have done never really felt like work at all. It was simply actions that were working towards God's greater goal.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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