The Roots & Shoots club at York House School (YHS) consists of a group of enthusiastic girls in Grades 4-6. As its inaugural project, the club wanted to honor Jane Goodall’s recent visit to the school by participating in a very special and meaningful project.

The Leading Light Initiative, organized by STAR EcoWorks, was a perfect project for the YHS club, as its mission also reflects the school’s motto, "Not for Ourselves Alone".

The club made a commitment to Dr. Goodall to raise funds for solar powered LED lanterns. Canadian Hydro offered to match the gift and as a result, a total of 22 lanterns will be sent to Africa to help professionals such as teachers, health care workers and conservationists.

The next task was to actually build the lanterns. The club looked for support from the school community and the response was overwhelming.

Under the technical expertise of Mr. Steve O’Gorman, Grade 10 students, staff and parents joined the Roots & Shoots club to work together with enthusiasm, knowing these lanterns will make a big difference for many professionals working in Africa.

Throughout the day while the lanterns were built, members of the school community from fellow students, parents, maintenance staff, teachers and administrators dropped in to encourage and congratulate the club members.

The day was made more special as members from the Vancouver office of Canadian Hydro also joined in the workshop to lend a helping hand to the student builders.