Six-year-old puts school lessons into practice
A primary school girl who was learning the meaning of community at her school has been inspired to raise $325 for an animal therapy charity.
Shivya Konaru decided that, instead of asking for presents on her 6th birthday, she instead wanted to donate food and supplies for the animals at WindReach.
Her only request — a chance to meet the animals and perhaps ride a horse.
“I want to pet the animals and feed the horses,” Shivya said.
Her donation came as Shivya, a Somerset Primary School pupil, learnt about the meaning of good citizenship at school.
Her mother, Shubratha Konaru, explained that her daughter was learning about the importance of generosity and giving back to her community.
She added that, after she briefly saw the WindReach horses during a charity event, they worked out a fun way to celebrate her birthday.
Ms Konaru said: “She always has plenty of toys and they’re piling up, so we said ‘how about we take you horse-riding instead?’
“Then we started talking about community and giving back, and she said that she wanted to help out the animals there.”
Ms Konaru said that they contacted the charity, which thanked them for their plan and gave them a list of needed supplies.
When Shivya’s birthday came last month, she urged her friends and classmates to donate cash instead of offering her presents.
She also donated $50 that she received from selling raffle tickets for the Pembroke Rotary Club.
The Lions Clubs of Bermuda, where Ms Konaru is a member, also donated $75 on behalf of Shivya’s WindReach fund.
In total, Shivya raised $325 that she took to Noah’s Ark and, with the help of her parents and friends, selected food, cleaning equipment and medicine for the animals at the charity.
Ms Konaru said that they purchased more than 150lb of food for the horses and goats, and still had some left over for additional supplies.
She added that Noah’s Ark kept the supplies in storage until volunteers with WindReach could collect them.
Shivya visited WindReach to help feed the animals and ride a horse.
She added that she did not know if she would do something like this again, but looks forward to helping her community however she can.
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