Halifax-area school hosts ‘Goat Day’ to celebrate fundraising success

WATCH: The students at Holland Road Elementary school in Fletchers Lake have been raising funds all year to purchase goats for women in developing communities in Africa and today the students got to celebrate their success with a goat-themed event. Ray Bradshaw was there.

FLETCHERS LAKE, N.S. – After raising funds all year to purchase goats for women in Africa’s developing communities, students at Holland Road Elementary School got to celebrate their success on Friday with a goat-themed event.

The students have been collecting donations in various ways to purchase goats for the African women, who will support their families by selling goat’s milk.

“I went around on my bike delivering papers and then they came to my house dropped off a five-dollar bill under my door,” said Jack, a Grade 5 student.

Jack raised $50, which is enough to purchase one goat. All told, the school raised $3,200 — enough to buy 64 goats.

“It makes me feel really good because it makes us feel like we’re giving back to people who don’t have very much,” said Ciara, a Grade 6 student.

There were several fun-filled activities for the students, like a six-hooved race, a goat dance, a hay toss to feed the goats, and “goat yourself”, where students could get their pictures taken.

“It’s pretty much a mini-party for everybody,” said Damian, a Grade 3 student.

Students even learned how to milk a goat and got the opportunity to taste the milk.

Grade 6 teacher Lynne Robertson is also the co-ordinator for the “We Act” program at the school, which is one of only five in Canada being recognized for it’s fundraising.

Holland Road Elementary has raised more than $5,000 this year for various charities.

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“They’re learning to give to others,” said Robertson. “I couldn’t be prouder of them and that’s what it is — you’re creating citizens.”

RBC was also on hand to present the school a cheque for $1,000 to buy more goats.