When Ezra Westerman saw the malnourished children in Africa suffering, she decided to do something about it.
The seven-year-old Grade 2 student from Agnew H. Johnson Public School made bookmarks with her mother and together they raised more than $1,300 in about two weeks. Ezra pulled out all the stops to reach her goal. She went around the neighbourhood collecting donations, called family and friends, offered mini photo shoots and even made a website.
All the proceeds went to the World Vision Canada’s Horn of Africa relief effort.
“I wanted to do this because I saw people suffering on the computer,” Ezra said. “It made me feel sad. We decided to make bookmarks. My mom also does photography so she did photo shoots as well for people.”
The fundraising goal was set at $500 but through Ezra and her mother’s effort, they were able to surpass that number. Ezra said that made her happy to know she would be able to help more people who were suffering.
Ezra’s mother, Lisa Westerman said she and her husband, Matthew, were proud of what their daughter accomplished as well as her desire to help others.
“I was just watching videos and Ezra saw what was happening and she immediately wanted to do something about it,” Westerman said. “We think World Vision is an amazing organization and we’re just so glad that she has learn that and that there are people in the world that are suffering and that they need our help.”
Westerman said she was thankful for the support given by the community.
“I think people are very receptive especially when it is young children asking for support,” she said. “I think that helps make people want to get involved.”
