Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Caminocorps Soap Drive Culmination Event-Soap For Hope Day!!




"We are Caminocorp and we clean the world!"

On Friday, March 4th 2011, Caminocorps held their "Soap For Hope" soap drive event, at Camino Nuevo High School. The student run, social justice group promoted and raised awareness for their soap drive for over a month!

Caminocorps members spoke to the student body at Camino Nuevo High School's monthly community dialogue sessions, informing their fellow classmates on the situation in Haiti, what was needed of them and the goals for the soap drive.

The group was inspired by Clean The World, a non-profit organization that recycles used bars of soap and sends them to places in need, particularly Haiti. The earthquake that ravaged the island country has left many without the basic essentials of life.

Haiti is also fighting a cholera outbreak that has left thousands sick and dying. One the main ways to fight the cholera outbreak is simply washing your hands, but many in Haiti are so impoverished that a bar of soap can be a luxury in their lives.



When our students and staff heard about this, they leapt at the chance to help out. They were excited to help fight the cholera outbreak, possibly save lives and spread the word on preventable hygiene related diseases.



To start the project, students collected bars of soap, designed collection boxes and placed them in classes, and wrote letters to present to the community.


YPI/ROE site coordinator Virginia Ruiz worked with other YPI site leads and delivered boxes to schools and business eager to help out. YPI/ROE Enrichment Specialists Laron Cue and Jose Beltran lead a group of Caminocorp students to local businesses and delivered drop off boxes.
As the soap drive progressed, Camino Nuevo students diligently worked toward raising as many soap donations as possible.

Several other schools and local organizations joined our soap drive as well, including Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise Charter, New Village Charter Academy, Monsenor Oscar Romero Middle School, SEA Charter South Gate, and Hollywood Silverlake Hotels & Suites. Soon it was time to celebrate!


The day kicked off with activities and music, during the school lunch period. Students and staff participated in feats of strength, as the school yard favorite Tug of War kicked off!



Jose Beltran, YPI Counselor and Caminocorp director played music and emceed the mid-day event, while the students took turns battling it out with the rope! This was just a warm up for the rest of the days events.



After school, students went to the soccer field as the YPI/ROE staff set up for the day. More rounds of Tug of War started, as well as soccer shooting challenge, basketball on the far courts, and music from WYPI DJS and Camino Nuevo's unofficial school band, Rubia Sabrosa and the Chii Chii Chiings!














One of the things that many students wanted to do was send personal letters and cards to Haiti, to let those who receive their donations that they care! Our young urban arts students designed and painted a wonderful graffiti mural on the main campus, with the words "From LA to Haiti" surrounded by hearts and two cartoon soap bars.



The students have no idea who or where their artwork will end up, but they created it and sent it with love, adding to the good times of the day.



With everyone's help, we were able to bring in over 50 lbs of soap, shampoos and body wash products!







Friday's event was a huge success, with fun filled activities, urban art, live music, snacks, basketball and a friendly soccer competition to wrap up the day! We want to thank all of the participating schools, students, parents, teachers and local businesses that chipped in and helped make our soap drive a success! We could not have done it without your help!

Enjoy our pictures below and remember....SOAP SAVES LIVES!!