One of the real delights of raising money in support of Moon Bears is watching how and where the message spreads. While raising money for Jigsaw is our primary focus, I am constantly surprised by who “picks up the ball” .

Jigsaw is now being supported by children at two schools: right from the beginning by my young friend Lily’s Sophia Mundi Steiner School here in Abbotsford Melbourne, and now by Year 3 at Angaston Primary School in SA.

Lily produced a beautiful school project -really a little book – about Jigsaw’s story and the horror of bear farming, from the bear’s point of view. It is a simply told tale but its message can be clearly understood and appreciated by young readers. For this reason I have made copies of it to give to schools.

Year 3 at Angaston Primary had been studying endangered species and coincidentally were looking for a class fund-raising project. As luck would have it, a daughter of a good friend is in Year 3, so I sent her a copy of Lily’s book which she shared with her classmates and they instantly embraced Jigsaw!  The kids held a “wear your pj’s to school day” for a gold coin donation and raised $258.86. Their class teacher remarked on the colourful parade to be seen at recess time! I was impressed at how  it was both a fun and age-appropriate way to raise money.

However, the class had set a goal of donating two pieces of the puzzle. Enthused by their efforts so far, they organized their own stall at a school market day, reaching the grand combined total of $324.95. Their teacher has told me how thrilled the class is with their achievement and so they should be! I am so proud of their efforts!

And the great news for Jigsaw is that they are  thinking of holding another FUN-raiser next term so they can purchase a third piece of the puzzle!!

Just as important as all the money being raised is the sense of accomplishment each child will feel through being part of this project. It will be an experience they never forget, knowing they have contributed toward rescuing an animal from a terrible life of suffering and pain. Jigsaw will become an important part of their lives as they follow his (or her) progress for many a year to come..

THANK YOU so much to everyone in Year 3 and to your teacher Ms Watkins. Thank you Isabel for taking Jigsaw’s message to your class. And Lily, thank you for your wonderful book that continues to inspire adults and children alike.

PS: If you work at a school (or are a student) and would like a copy of Lily’s book to help you hold a fuN-raiser for Jigsaw, then please email me through this website.