Searcy, AR. (LP) – On February 4, Searcy High School hosts a culture night for students. The main goal of this night is to raise awareness of all the different cultures that are found in Searcy. Señorita Haynes helped run the event she says, “We have different people who volunteer to set up a booth to display their culture or a country they have visited. There are activities and crafts like karaoke, paper flowers, games, soccer, hacky sack, etc. that people can try for themselves.” There was a scavenger hunt, popcorn, and cotton candy at the culture night. Students signed up to run a booth throughout the night. Some students set up their own displays for a country or activity they knew about. Others came to visit and have fun.
Señorita Haynes said, “There is also a table set up for the Pulsera Project, which is a way people in developing countries can earn money for their family by making bracelets that are sold by groups here in the U.S.” The project is a non-profit organization that educates, empowers, and connects Central American artists with students in more than 3,000 United States schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or “pulseras.” They compel cultural education to the United States schools while employing nearly 200 artists and investing proceeds to create lasting change in Central American communities. The Pulsera Project buys hand woven pulseras from Central American artists and then partners with student groups to sell them through United States Schools. With the money raised, they fund many programs that empower people through secondary education, university scholarships, housing programs, healthcare, workers’ nights advocacy, gender equality, funding for environmental initiatives, and more. Rather than giving things to people, they empower people with the skills, opportunities, and education that allow them to provide for themselves and their communities. Payton Graham a freshman at SHS says, “I think that the Pulsera Project is really impacting on others. It’s important to empower other people and help others out.”
Since 2009, Pulsera Project volunteers have raised more than $5,000,000 to help out the Central American community. The Pulsera Project’s success is due to student leaders and activists who organize and bring alive successful sales on behalf of the Nicaraguan artists they work with. Payton Graham says, “People in the United States should continue to help raise money for the Pulsera Project.”
Señorita Haynes said, “This was the second year for the culture fair. We haven’t made any definite plans for next year, but the goal is to make this an annual event to grow the language programs and community involvement.” Stay updated with the foreign language events, and around this time next year volunteer for the culture fair if it’s held.
