KAYSVILLE—Second graders at Windridge Elementary School were all smiles as they lined up to assemble school kits for Afghan refugees last week. Each class took a turn stuffing bags with pencils, notebooks, markers and other school supplies to be given to Lifting Hands International.

“It’s part of the UN 17 sustainable goals,” said Principal Casey Pickett. “Teachers were asked to help the kids do something bigger that’s outside of themselves. Each grade level is doing something different.”

 Teachers had to get creative and find something in the kids’ lives to make it real, she said. “Especially with everything that’s going on in the world. It’s fun.”

“We decided we wanted to give them a quality education so we made school packs for Afghan refugees,” said second grade teacher Julie Denson. “The kids worked hard doing jobs to earn money for the kits and we also got some donations.”

“We made 100 bags!” said one second grader. “It makes me happy when others have what they need.”

“It makes me feel good inside,” said Ivy.

“I think it’s nice to help people,” said Beckett. “I helped people clean cars, learn to write and learn a language to earn money.”

Second grade teacher Lisa Sweeten said they’re working on number four of the sustainable goals which is a quality education. “We talked about how lucky they are that they can get an education and how some kids don’t have that. Some kids donated their own money and we also got some LAND trust funds. It’s always good to teach kids to give back.”

“It makes me feel good donating to refugees that have been chased out of their country,” said second grader Asher Gadd. “I want them to feel welcome in the United States.”

This is the best school, said Sweeten. “We have the best kids. They love helping. The kids have big hearts. They’re good, we have to give them the opportunity to show it.”

“When kids do things for others it’s awesome,” said Pickett. “We don’t give our kids enough opportunities to do good so we do it at school.” λ