Two pupils from St Aidan’s High School in Wishaw led Time for Reflection in the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of global food poverty.
Mia Fallon and Nathaniel Sweeney, both S6, addressed MSPs and acted as representatives for their school’s “Living on £2” campaign.
The £2-a-day challenge tasked pupils with going through a school week with only £10 to spend on food. This figure was to reflect the fact that an estimated one-third of the world’s population has to live on less that $2 a day.
Each student that took part was asked to find sponsors and raise awareness of the campaign.
In total the school raised £1,311 as part of the challenge. This money will be donated to local charities including Paul’s Parcels – a Shotts voluntary organisation striving to eradicate food poverty.
Kenny O’Donnell, principal teacher of social subjects at St Aidan’s High, said: “As a department, we all teach about inequality. We felt this was a good opportunity to provide some context to learning as well as creating empathy and encouraging positive action about matters which exist not only worldwide, but in our own school community too.”
St Aidan’s High headteacher Claire Connelly added: “The whole school community are extremely proud of Mia and Nathaniel in leading Time for Reflection at the Scottish Parliament.
“Pupils across the school were able to watch live during their online learning. The senior pupils involved in the project did a wonderful job of highlighting the challenges that poverty brings and we appreciate the support of families and friends in raising funds to help those in need.”
Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson had nominated St Aidan’s to bring the campaign to the attention of the Scottish Parliament at ‘Time for Reflection’.
She said: “Mia and Nathaniel represented their school wonderfully. This campaign fits in perfectly with the parliament’s Time for Reflection.
“Reflecting on the fact that one-third of the world’s people are forced to subsist on less than $2 a day. This should give us pause for thought, and, following St Aidan’s lead, it should galvanise action.
“Poverty and inequality are rife in communities across the globe. I am heartened to see that students in our own Wishaw community are playing their part in speaking up for the world’s most vulnerable people.
“St Aidan’s High should be extremely proud of their efforts and their Parliamentary representatives Mia and Nathaniel!”
