They are gathering up used cell phones in a project called Old Phones = New Hope. “They” are Kohala High School AVID students Andi Amar, Dillon Ku, Hauoli Sproat-Lancaster, Amber Souza, Casey Stevens, and Israel Victorino Rabang, along with their adviser, Fern White. They are participating in HopeLine, a community service project. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
They are gathering up used cell phones in a project called Old Phones = New Hope. “They” are Kohala High School AVID students Andi Amar, Dillon Ku, Hauoli Sproat-Lancaster, Amber Souza, Casey Stevens, and Israel Victorino Rabang, along with their adviser, Fern White. They are participating in HopeLine, a community service project. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
Their group reflection, written by Andi, Amber, Casey and Hauoli, keeps their focus on the project: “for our group project we are still in the process of making the collection boxes for people to put their donated phones in. We’re having trouble figuring out how to cover the top of the boxes so that people can’t reach inside and the take the phones out. We’re working on it. We are succeeding in our goal. Today we worked on our boxes for the HopeLine and we completed four boxes.”
As they share with yours truly, “Dillon mentions that the goal is 36 phones which help domestic violence. The phones will be refurbished by Verizon to be given to the domestic violence victims. Andi feels they are doing some good for the individuals giving them hope with a phone that they can call someone that cares for them.”
Dillon talks about “doing the project within 36 days, there are six of us collecting 36 phones.” Casey is finding that doing “community projects gives us more experience.” Andi is “giving back, living in the community, the least you can do is give back”
Why pick this project? Hauoli answered, “We were inspired to do a community project when the speaker, James Beck came to the school with his story about Serfbliss, which is a ‘pay-it-forward’ social experiment.
“The goal is to reveal how people are connected through love and service.”
His story begins with “One man will give three days of service to a household in every state. The person responsible for bringing the servant into the house is asked to ‘pay-it-forward’. We are building a website to make the ‘pebble in the pond’ effect trackable, traceable, honest and transparent. All are allowed to participate, and everyone is equal. Serfbliss is a year long journey, which started April 1, 2011, intended to set up this experiment.”
James finished with: “the actual project will launch after my birthday on April 1.”
White explained that “Hauoli researched it.” Andi found that “it was a really good idea, not too simple, and doable.” Hauoli said “she was able to do it and feel good about it.” Andi followed with “each chose jobs to do.” Casey said “we communicated well” and explained, “we need to show up and work together. With a bigger group it would have been harder with more jobs and then someone needs to lead.” The comment from Hauoli, “Size of the group? It was good.”
So far they have 13 phones, and they started after spring break. So be looking for those special boxes in the Kohala towns, and donate your cell phones to help the domestic violence individuals reach out to friends and family for support.
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Honokaa Elementary School Community Council is calling all dads! It may be that your grandpa, uncle, cousin, adult brother, etc. will come to the “Crunch, Munch, and READ with Dad!” This day gives dads an opportunity to bond and have fun with their children while reinforcing valuable reading skills, such as fluency and comprehension. Come on, Pops, to the joy of reading on April 20 from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. at Honokaa Elementary School.
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Island Faith Center invites the public to a special Easter celebration at the Papaaloa Gym today at 9:30 a.m. To reach the gym, turn makai at the 24 mile-marker on the Hamakua Coast. Along with the Easter message entitled “What A Redeemer,” there will be special music and a multi-media presentation. An Easter gift will be given to each one who attends. After the service, enjoy a potluck lunch and an Easter egg hunt for the keiki.
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There’s a new agricultural experience offered at NHERC, the North Hawaii Education & Research Center, called Ku I Ka Mana — New Farmer Initiative Training at the Center for Success (CAS).
Become involved: Call 934-2700 to find out how to register. Registration is at Hawaii Community College Office of Continuing Education & Training. Walk in every day between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The dates for the class are April 13 to June 29, every Friday and on various Saturdays, at NHERC in Honokaa. The times are Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is only $99. Although the actual tuition is $399, funding assistance is provided by the Department of Labor. The course code is 122R013.
A description of the agriculture component is: Classroom training and mentorship opportunities for aspiring or existing farmers in need of gaining practical farming experience. Areas of study will encompass soils, pest control, fertilizers, compost production, crop rotations, farm equipment maintenance and irrigation.
Here is the business and marketing component: This session of the course ensures diversified small farm success through marketing strategies and by providing small farm start-up support. The curriculum of the business plan writing course will include marketing, accounting and business plan development.
Carol Yurth’s column is published every Sunday and spotlights activities on the Hilo-Hamakua coast. She welcomes items for her column. Reach her by mail (46-1240 Kalehua Road, Honokaa HI 96727) at least 10 days before the requested publication date, call her at 775-7101, or e-mail waiukahe@interpac.net.