News at St. Catherine's
Students Raise $10,000 for School in Nepal
Lower School students held a five-day Read-A-Thon to raise money for Kopila Valley School in Nepal.
Lower School students held a Read-A-Thon earlier this month and raised $10,861.96 for Kopila Valley School in Nepal. The money will build a bridge for the new high school, sponsor a girl at Kopila Valley School from nursery school through grade 8 and sponsor an additional four fourth graders for the upcoming school year.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of a project that can, not only make a difference for children in need, but make a difference in the lives of our girls, as well,” said third grade teacher Ashley Miller '86, who coordinated the project.
The idea for this project began over the summer when Caroline Porter '06 contacted Miller, who was her third grade teacher at St. Catherine’s. A teacher at Kopila Valley School, Porter shared the mission and goals of the school with Miller. Kopila Valley was founded in 2007 by then 25-year-old Maggie Doyne. The mission of the school is to create a self-sustainable living community for destitute children that provides their most basic needs and also contributes to post-war recovery and peace in the nation of Nepal." A natural connection was formed and Miller began thinking of ways her students could help the students in Nepal.
The school lacks a suspension bridge to join the two parts of the new campus, which are divided by a stream. During the rainy season this stream becomes nearly impassable. Kopila Valley is working with a Swiss NGO to construct the bridge, which also will serve as a demonstration project for others who want to learn to build such bridges in the future. St. Catherine’s Lower School students have funded the bridge and will decide on a name.
“It sounds like (the bridge) ties in perfectly with your curriculum and I am thrilled that St. Catherine's will have their name on it,” Porter said. “The area where the bridge will be built is a beautiful place and I am so excited the girls will have a lasting place at the new site.”
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St.Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.
