School Solutions: Pennies for Peace

Students at the Canterbury school are taking part in "Pennies for Peace." The fundraiser helps people in third world countries build schools.

WFMY News 2's Tracey McCain Gets Answers on how their mission for change became a School Solution.

A book about poor Afghan and Pakistani children is having a life-changing impact on students at the Canterbury School.

"Children don't need to be in war, it's just sad to think they have to fight because they have no choices," said 4th grade student Matthew Ferner.

Greg Mortenson's book, "Three cups of Tea" inspired Canterbury students to help less fortunate children in poor countries get the education often taken for granted here in America.

"Sometimes we, Americans don't want to go to school but they love to go to school," said Ferner. "That's big because the children really want the education, it's really big to them."

"Pennies for Peace" raises money to help build schools in poor countries at war. Each penny raised equals a new pencil for an Afghan or Pakistani student; each dollar results in a day of pay for a head teacher.

"Three dollars is a teachers salary pretty much for a week," explained Mac Maultsby, another Canterbury 4th grader. "They used to work only three days a week and then they'd leave lessons for children to do in the dirt," he adds.

"I like to help the world. And to know its going half way around the world makes a difference," said Maultsby.

"This story has taught me to do other things good to make peace in the world and help other people," added Ferner.

Students raised $2,000 in two weeks. The lesson taught students that a penny is best used when you pay it forward.

Students at the Canterbury School will meet "Pennies for Peace" founder Greg Mortenson on Wednesday.

Mortenson holds a book signing and lecture at Carolina Theatre on Thursday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets for the event are already sold out.