Another fundraiser to help send high school students to Guatemala to do humanitarian work has been postponed.
The International Co-Op class, made up of students from both Carihi and Timberline secondary schools, was slated to host a triathlon this Saturday.
Due to a lack of interest, the triathlon, appropriately dubbed the ‘Co-op a thon’ will be tentaively rescheduled for April 28, after Spring Break.
“We are going to have to postpone the Co-op a thon this weekend as (there are) no entries to date,” said Barb Izard, International Co-op instructor.
The triathlon involves a traditional 750-metre long swimming course at Strathcona Gardens indoor pool, a 20-kilometre bike course, followed by a five-kilometre run, ending at Timberline school.
The cost to participate is $20 per person or $50 per team.
Applications are available at Shorerunners (1371 Greenwood St.) and at Carihi and Timberline.
The students’ Co-op a thon is the third fundraiser to be postponed.
Last week, Izard had to put off Hoops for Houses, a drop-in hula hoop session.
The event, scheduled for March 20, will be re-slated for sometime after Spring Break (April 2-15), dates still to be determined.
Prior to that, a people auction, where the public could bid on students to perform household chores, had to be rescheduled two weeks ago due to the teachers’ strike.
The event was rescheduled for March 13, but with last week’s wind storm cancelling school the day before the auction, the event was cancelled.
Instead of a live auction at Timberline, the public was invited to call the school or Izard to book student workers.
The fundraisers are instrumental in the students’ effort to raise $8,000 – the cost of the International Co-op class’ project fees in Guatemala.
The class will be in Guatemala July 1-15 to help build two houses for two struggling families.
The students will also help teach English in the local school and orphanage.
“We fundraise extensively to make it affordable for all students,” Izard said.
“These students are empathic, caring, hopeful and committed to helping a family who is disadvantaged in a very poor country.”
Izard said Guatemala has been hit hard by the global economy and tourism – a major revenue generator – is down.
The co-op class’ presence not only directly aids families through its labour, but it also supports the economy.
“We are able to help support many of the businesses and residents while also completing work experience,” Izard said.
Izard’s International Co-op class previously travelled to Guatemala in 2010.
Students at the time helped build a home for a family of five in the town of Panajachel.