North Broward Prep Students Raise Funds to Build a School in Honduras
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (June 2, 2025) – Fifth-grade students at North Broward Preparatory School turned the page on their reading assignment and opened a new chapter for children in Honduras by raising about $45,000 to build a school in partnership with Food For The Poor (FFTP).
The initiative was sparked by the students’ reading of A Long Walk to Water, a novel that opened their eyes to the struggles children in developing countries face in accessing clean water and education. Inspired and determined to act, the students launched an online campaign and so far they’ve raised enough to build the school while continuing to raise funds for a water well.
“It was awesome to see the students dive in headfirst,” said fifth-grade teacher Jill Groudan. “They ran with the project, brought their own ideas, and turned it into something way beyond what I imagined. Honestly, half the time I felt like I was just trying to keep up with their energy and creativity.”
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine said North Broward Preparatory School students continue to demonstrate that no one is too young to make a meaningful difference.
“What these fifth graders accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary,” Raine said. “Their determination shows the incredible impact young people can have when they are empowered to lead. This project is a testament to the heart and spirit of North Broward Preparatory School and a powerful reminder that meaningful change can start in the classroom.”
The effort gained momentum thanks to 11th-grader Christopher Evans, who stepped in to help close the fundraising gap for the school in the final stretch. Christopher previously funded several homes and water wells in Haiti through FFTP since the age of 6.
“I saw that the children at my school had a wonderful idea and incredible motivation,” Christopher said. “I wanted to encourage them just the same way I had been encouraged by others when I was their age and just starting on my journey of fundraising to help others.”
The project continues North Broward Preparatory School’s long-standing collaboration with FFTP to promote global citizenship and service learning. The school’s proximity to FFTP’s headquarters in Coconut Creek created a unique opportunity for students to connect directly with the organization’s mission.
“This initiative reflects the values and culture we strive to cultivate at North Broward Preparatory School by empowering students to become compassionate global citizens who take action to make a difference in the world around them,” said Sarah Evans, Lower School Assistant Principal.
“By giving them full ownership of the campaign, we created a truly transformative learning experience that embodies our vision of a world-leading community of learners,” she added.
For more information on how you can support their project, visit champions.foodforthepoor.org/team/648845.
About Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]
