From Bernardsville to Plainfield to Colonia to Sussex, communities all over New Jersey are taking part in the South Africa Initiative. NJ teachers like Ruby, Juanita and Joann help raise more than a passing interest. They collect books, raise funds for school equipment and find pen pals. At the same time, their students develop critical skills while learning about South Africa.

Ruby Simmons' 8th grade language arts students were pictured in the Courier News on February 2 when another package of letters arrived from pen pals in Paarl. The letters were put on display for African-American History Month. The Hubbard School in Plainfield was also visited by Claude de Jager, Principal of Amstelhof Primary last October.

Bernards High School in Bernardsville, NJ donated about 10 boxes of young adult literature, novels and anthologies destined for South Africa. Meanwhile, the Student Council at Colonia Middle School, in Colonia, NJ (Joann's brother's school) started a school supply drive last January. They made posters out of pictures that Joann had taken to hang around the school to remind the students where the supplies are going.

Tunya Kyzer, 3rd grade teacher in Juanita Kirton's school, developed a Communities Unit to compare Sussex County, NJ to Paarl, South Africa. They used "Dr. K's" maps, brochures, souvenirs and pictures and were asked what they remembered from Mr. de Jager's visit. They made flags and compared holidays, weather, symbols, jobs, money, landmarks and languages of both countries.

Oh, and the "Pennies for Peace" project? That is supposed to be a surprise. So come back in May to find out what happened.

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