Fort Simpson (Jan 05/07) - Some children in Kenya may soon have the chance to attend school thanks to the efforts of the students in Class 7 at Bompas elementary school.

The 17 Fort Simpson students raised enough money to buy four goats that will be sent to Kenya through the organization Free the Children.

The idea for the fundraiser started while the students were learning about Africa as part of their social studies around the beginning of December, said Lonnie Wright, one of the students.

Using the Internet, teacher Neil Penney showed the class how some people don't have much money so their kids can't go to school, said student Allan Humphrey.

The idea of buying goats came up by chance while the students were watching an online video about Tanzania that mentioned a similar program, he said. Penney did the research to find an organization that provided support in Africa.

The Alternative Income program by Free the Children is designed to help parents find sustainable sources of income to provide for their family so their children can go to school.

The class decided to raise the $50 needed to buy a goat.

People can sell the goat's milk and raise money, said Humphrey.

During the Bompas bazaar on Dec. 9, the students raised the money by selling tickets to people who wanted to guess the number of jelly beans in a jar. Students Devan Cli, Lonnie Wright, Katelyn Harold and Julia de Pelham helped staff the table for the afternoon.

"They thought it was a good cause," said Harold about the community members who bought tickets.

Some people did more than just buy a ticket. Val Gendron and Terry Jaffray shared the cost of buying a whole goat while Amy Fraser bought one all by herself. Together with the other money raised during the bazaar and the tickets sold to students during recesses, Class 7 had enough for four goats.

The total surprised most of the students. Lonnie Wright said she thought they might raise enough money to buy two, while Allan Humphrey through three was a realistic goal.

With four goats to be sent, the students are feeling rather proud.

Julia de Pelham said she felt "happy" the class could send the goats.

"I think it will help them," said Humphrey about the recipients.

Humphrey, however, was a bit disappointed the class can't see the goats before they go to Kenya.

"I wanted to have one of the goats," he said.

Being allergic to both cats and dogs, Humphrey said somewhat jokingly that he was hopeful he could have a goat as a pet.