At La Salle Educational Center’s Little School in Homestead, Florida, students rallied together to support two Lasallian ministries in Madagascar that were destroyed by Cyclone Gezani in February 2026. The Little School tends to nearly 30 students from kindergarten through fifth grade in the South Dade community.
The students learned about the damaged Lasallian schools in Madagascar around the same time that they had a lesson on Lenten almsgiving and generosity. This inspired them to give to help the school rebuild.
Instructor Brenda Blanton explained that this global Lasallian awareness led to curiosity. Students found the school on the map and discovered it using puzzles and conducting research. “Most of all,” she said, “they felt empathy for students who no longer had access to their school.”
The students raised $100 on their own. Second-grader Ethan said, “I was excited and surprised that only 28 students could raise that much money to help others.”
Continuing the spirit of almsgiving, staff members encouraged them and promised to match whatever funds they raised. Blanton and director of administration Brother Joseph Wilkowski, FSC, kept their promise and matched the students’ efforts, bringing the school’s total amount raised to $300. The Little School embraced the global community and solidarity of 1 La Salle.
Assistant instructor Mauren Delgado summarized, “La Salle is such a family, that even though we are far away, we are still connected.”
Learn more about La Salle Educational Center.