By Jeremy Fraser
March 27, 2015
An idea to write a book to bring awareness to child poverty quickly became a reality for Greenfield Elementary School students Adam MacLean and Joella MacIsaac.
The co-founders of the school's keep the promise group, formed to raise awareness for child poverty, started writing the book in early January and haven't stopped working on it since, including during their recent March break.
The idea to write a book came following a trip to Ottawa, where MacLean and MacIsaac attended a three-day summit on child poverty issues in November, funded by the Canadian Teachers’ Federation.
Educators and students from all provinces and territories were in attendance, all looking for ways to bring awareness to child poverty.
During the summit, Liberal and NDP MPs spoke to those in attendance, however Prime Minister
Stephen Harper nor any members of the Conservative Party attended the conference, something that was noticeable, said MacLean.
"The Conservative Party chair was empty. They weren't represented."
At the summit, the two were asked to make a promise that they would keep the promise and continue to bring awareness to child poverty when they returned to Cape Breton, which led to the decision to write a book.
The two have not disappointed with their promise, said Joeanne MacIsaac, Joella's mother.
"They are fulfilling the promise by continuing to bring awareness to child poverty."
MacLean and MacIsaac, both grade six students, believe strongly about the issue.
"We think we can help kids in our community have a better life by bringing awareness to poverty." said MacLean.
According to figures released last November, Cape Breton has one of the highest child poverty rates in Canada.
About 32.6 per cent of children on the island are living in poverty, compared with 22.2 per cent in Nova Scotia and 19 per cent across the country.
The figures show the child poverty rate in Cape Breton is just below Nunavut, where 33.5 per cent of kids live in poverty.
It's an issue that has to be address, said Joella MacIsaac.
"Cape Breton has a high rate in poverty. People may not realize it, but it's everywhere, at any time and any place."
MacLean and MacIsaac are not the only students involved in the school's keep the promise group. Kelsie Neville, Sophie Curtis, Amy Wilson, Chole MacDonald and Sarah MacDougall are also helping with the awareness effort.
The group effort to bring awareness has not only been recognized across the country, but also in the United States.
"I was looking for an article on Joella and Adam and I came across their names in an article featured on Nick News with Linda Ellerbee on Nickelodeon. It was amazing." said Joeanne MacIsaac.
In February, Joeanne was looking for ways to help raise money for the group in order to finish writing the book and decided to make a fundraising page on www.gofundme.com.
"We started the page and explained what our purpose was and why we needed the funding. The support came fast."
The group goal was to raise $1000. Within two weeks of the online fundraiser launching, the keep the promise group raised $850, the money coming from close family members and strangers from around the world.
"So far it's been amazing the support we have seen." said Joeanne.
As of press time, the group was $150 short of reaching their goal. Residents wishing to make a donation to Greenfield's keep the promise group can do so by going to www.gofundme.com/l60ntg.
MacLean and MacIsaac hope to finish writing the book by late May or early June. Once the book is released, it will be placed in school libraries across the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board and also for public use in Cape Breton Regional libraries.
For more information on Greenfield's keep the promise group, visit their website at greenfieldkeptthep.wix.com/gf-keep-the-promise.
Joella MacIsaac, left, and Adam MacLean, right, are working hard to bring awareness to child poverty with Greenfield Elementary School's keep the promise group. Photo by Jeremy Fraser - New Waterford Community Press.
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