Fiddling for girls’ education
Helen (left) and May (right) spent hours practicing for their big performance.
Fundraising at the age of 10 isn’t unusual for Helen, in fact, she started when she was 6 years old! But this year, Helen took her fundraising efforts to a new level.
Not only did she add her 7-year-old kid sister May to the act, but this year she fundraised for Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl initiative!
Fiddling phenoms
The 2 girls busked at Westfest – an annual festival held in their neighbourhood in Ottawa, Ontario. Helen has been fiddling in the festival for 4 years now, while little sister May took stage for the first time.
Helen and May enjoy playing the fiddle for people and they’re proud they can use their talents to help others at the same time.
Fiddling for good
“They feel very lucky and Helen especially is very motivated to be able to feel like she is making a difference in the world,” mom Erin explains.
“She can give something to the people listening to her music and at the same time, to people who can use the help.”
A cause for girls
The girls’ performance made the cover of the Kitchissippi Times!
The idea that some girls may not be able to attend school because there isn’t a girl’s bathroom available motivated Helen to raise money for girls.
“I didn’t know that there were places in the world where girls couldn’t go to school because they didn’t have a bathroom,” says Helen.
When we asked their mom how Helen and May felt about what their performance has done for girls, she said, “It was eye-opening for them to realize how girls in other places in the world, including parts of Canada, don’t have the advantages that they have.”
“They were very proud to be able to make a donation that they raised all by themselves to help other girls in the world.”
We’re proud of you too, Helen and May! The girls-only latrines you donated will help open the door to a new future for girls today. Thanks for all your hard work and generous support.
Inspired by Helen and May? Give a girl’s scholarship today!
