Project and is excited to to have found a project this year with a "hometown connection." Over the years they have contrbuted over $25,000 to Peace Corps projects, including the construction of tive primary schools and the first schoot for the blind in all of central Africa. This year's project, like many in years past, is funded through the sale ol student·drawn note cards and Peace---themed t·shirts.

What motivates these kids to make a difference? The group's advisor and global studies teacher Jim Miller says, "The program gives the kids an opportuntty to do something that is significant. They can realize they don't need the govemmerrt orscrrte agency to do sornething and that they can do it themselves." The students also value the chance to take on an intemational project to literally change the world. "This nation has an obligation to the rest of the world," Miller explains. "Just because there are separate borders doesnt mean there have to be separate people." Corcoran students also participate in cross-cultural exchanges with the villagers, exchanging letters, photos, and artifacts.

They use the information they team about other countries to broaden the horizons of younger students at nearby Roberts Elementary. ln 1998, two Corcoran High School students wrote a series of lessons and shared them with fellow club members. The high schoolers joined in teaching their younger counterparts at Roberts about the Ashanti culture of Ghana~lheir 1996 project. As part of the lessons, students took part in cooking, games, chants, and dances.

Kids at Roberts Elementary are also making a difference. They often undertake
“penny drives” to purchase such village needs as soccer balls, a Braille typewriter, and books. These efforts have been recognized by The Today Show the Yomiuri Shimbun (Tokyo), Voice of...      continued >

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