By Daniel Donnici, Grade 6

Dante Daycare is participating in the Milk Bag Project for Africa. The daycare students have been working on the project for three months already and have almost completed one milk bag sleeping mat. The beds are made out of braided plastic milk bags that the children cut into strips.

There is a team of four dedicated students working really hard on this project and they each have a responsibility. Grade 5 student David Di Capua folds the milk bags lengthwise and cuts them into strips. Grade 3 students Jasmine Guerber and Samuelle Vitorio tie the strips together. I braid the strips and roll them into a ball.

The milk bag strips are supposed to be crocheted into a sleeping mat. However, Daycare Technician, Ms. Angie, and the educators feel that crocheting is too hard for us to do.

“It’s important for me that the kids make the mats,” said Ms. Angie. “So, after many attempts, the educators and I successfully found a much easier way for the kids to make the mats,” continued Ms. Angie.

The technique used for making our mats is looping. Daycare Educator Ms. Monique made a wooden board for us to make our beds.

With the help of the educators, the Dante Milk Bag Project team takes turns going over and under with the braided milk bag strips. Our goal is to make 20 milk bag sleeping mats for Christmas. Parents will be collecting milk bags over the summer and bringing them to the daycare in September.

Let me tell you how I got involved with this humanitarian project. One day, I finished my homework and I had to go outside. However, I didn’t want to go outdoors so I asked Ms. Angie if I could stay in and help someone. Ms. Angie told me I could help with the Milk Bag Project for Africa. Now, every chance I get, I’m braiding milk bag strips.

I am so excited to be working on this project because I love to help people. I don’t like seeing kids in Africa suffer. The Milk Bag Project is a recyclable project. The sleeping mats can be used in different ways. Not only can they be used as beds, but they can also be used as blankets.

I’m going to Rosemount High School next year. Ms. Angie said I can come by the daycare anytime to work on the milk bag mats. I really want to continue being a part of this project, and since my sister, Stephanie, will still be in daycare next year, coming by won’t be much of a problem.

My teammates also feel very strongly about this project. “I want to help the daycare help the kids in Africa,” said David.

“I want to help make a better home for kids in Africa,” said Jasmine. “When I’m older, I would like to adopt an African child and give him or her a better life,” continued Jasmine.

“I was watching television once and came across a channel that was showing kids in Africa and how they don’t have much,” said Samuelle. “I thought, why not help them? That’s why I’m so happy Ms. Angie is letting me be a part of the Milk Bag Project,” said Samuelle.

We all look forward to come back in September to continue working on the beds. Please encourage us and help us out by donating your milk bags.