The Under the Canopy Coffeehouse was hosted by the Valley View Junior High Choir in rural Jonesboro, Arkansas. Many students sang solos, and the Valley View Junior High Choirs performed. Students served the guests dessert and coffee. They even taught our guests Swahili!! 300 people in Jonesboro now know how to respond to “Habari gani?”(How are you?) … “Mzuri sana!” (Very good!)
Last year, many students at Valley View had the opportunity to meet the Daraja Children’s Choir. They interacted with them in classrooms, volunteered at the concert, and some even hosted the choir! Since then, I’ve had countless questions concerning the choir and helping kids in Africa. “Miss Jackson, what can we do to help?” or “Is Daraja coming again?!” People are still talking about that week with the Daraja Choir!
One week with Africans was not enough for these kids. They are so excited about being a part of Canopy Life Academy’s first Global Classroom. Tuesday night’s coffeehouse was held to raise money for the technology needed in order for Valley View Choir and Canopy Life students to collaborate with each other via video conference in the Spring. The choir raised $1500 to kick off this campaign! 75 student performers/waitresses, and 35 parent and community volunteers helped make the night a success.
Students in Jonesboro may never get the opportunity to travel to Kenya, but thanks to their hard work, they now will get the opportunity to form lasting relationships and see Africa through the eyes of the students at Canopy Life. Of course, Under the Canopy was more than just a fundraiser. It was our chance to bring the other side of the world to Jonesboro, to teach our kids the importance of generosity, and to allow our kids and community to be a part of something much bigger than themselves.
Check out this video to see some pictures from the event: