Darren Campbell
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 28/98) - Weledeh Catholic school has received a little help from their friends.

On Wednesday, the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories handed the school a cheque for $40,998 to run the Healthy Snack Initiative.

The program provides nutritional snacks for students in kindergarten and Grade 1 at the school. It will run from September till June.

Although the final details haven't been worked out, Weledeh principal John Murphy said the school will probably offer one snack a day in the morning.

This was Murphy's first day as principal and he sounded thrilled to have received such a big donation.

"What a support mechanism this is," said Murphy. "A lot of kids come in and maybe don't have the best of food. This is kind of an equalizer and I have a strong hope this will make a big difference in their learning curve."

Students who are not eating nutritious food may not learn as effectively in school. Bren Kolson, executive director of the association said that was a major reason why they got involved in the program.

"I think there is a need for a kindergarten to Grade one inter-school snack program," said Kolson. "I think there is a lot of children who would benefit from another meal. If you have a good meal, it helps you learn."

Last year the association talked to former Weledeh principal Paul Byrne about doing something to promote healthier lifestyles for children in these grades.

As a result of those talks the association did the fund-raising to provide for a snack program.

Now that the $40,000 has been handed over, Kolson said she hopes the school can

stretch the money to allow more than just the younger students to enjoy healthy snacks.

"I hope they (the school) do it in such a way that the greater portion of the school is able to benefit," said Kolson.