Meet our Blackwell Elementary Students

Through Sister Schools, Navya is inspired to make a difference in the world.

Navya is a vibrant 5th Grader at Blackwell Elementary. She is interested in robotics and engineering, and already speaks two languages. At just 11 years old, she already knows more than me! But prior to Sister Schools, she didn’t know much about Uganda. To her, it was just a spot on the map. Today, she has a whole new appreciation for Uganda and its people. 

“Before Sister Schools,” Navya explains, “I didn’t really think about Uganda or how they lived or what their life is like. After Sister Schools I actually can imagine what it is like and know a bit about their life. It is always good to expand your knowledge!” 

After hearing our initial presentation last fall, and learning what life was like for her peers in Uganda, Navya was excited to participate in the supply drive. She donated some books and pencils, as well as some colored pencils. And last week, she got to see the impact of those items!  

This month, we’ve been busy organizing return presentations at all our schools, where students see the items they donated in use at their sister school in Uganda, and also receive a special gift in return. Navya was thrilled at Blackwell’s return presentation. She said, “It also makes me really happy to see people getting to enjoy new things that we take for granted.” 

Emma, a 2nd grader at Blackwell, was similarly excited. We asked her how she felt about donating school supplies, and she enthusiastically explained, “It made me feel happy! I sent it and I am excited and finally it got there! I’m super excited.” 

At only 8 year old, Emma is already enthusiastic about helping those who have less.

At only eight years old, Emma is just starting to discover who she is and where she fits in the world. She loves math, reading, playing piano, and breakdancing. She doesn’t like asparagus, people giving her a side stare, or her dad going to work. Through Sister Schools, she had an early introduction to the power of kindness, and is discovering her own ability to make a difference. 

After last week’s return presentation, we asked Emma about the value of her Sister Schools experience. She said, “It is important because they barely have anything and we have too much, if we can balance the scale we can both be happy. It makes us feel good... it can improve our lives and change the world.”   

As for Navya, she is already planning ways to continue making a difference, carrying the lessons of Sister Schools forward into all aspects of her life. She wants to continue giving school supplies to Sister Schools and has been brainstorming ways she can also donate locally to food banks and shelters. “If I am improving someone’s life, why not do it?” she asks.  

Navya and Emma are just two of many students throughout the Seattle area who now have a whole new understanding of their ability to make a difference thanks to Sister Schools. We can't wait to see the impact they will make in our community and our world as they grow to adulthood!