Since 2010, over one million people from across 102 countries have participated in Students Rebuild. The Students Rebuild organization has raised thousands of dollars for crises around the world such as earthquake recoveries in Haiti, typhoon recovery in the Philippines, and providing clean water to people in several different countries.
Together, the organization has raised over $13.5 million to support global causes. Now, the organization is coming to Westford Academy. Inspired by Students Rebuild efforts, sophomores Nylah Gaudreau and Anya Jain hope to help raise awareness at a local level through fundraisers and the collection of other resources.
Gaudreau and Jain have brought the Students Rebuild organization into WA by founding a new club. Their goal is to bring attention to important causes by creating projects involving literary art, performing art, media art, visual art, and STEM that will focus on this year’s topic, Unique and United, which celebrates individuals’ identities and differences.
Inspired by their own passions for creative expression, Gaudreau and Jain strive to create a place for people to express what they are truly passionate about while benefiting important causes.
“I hope that for students at WA, this can be a space where their creativity can flourish and thrive,” Gaudreau said.
Working within the Bezos Family Foundation, an organization that focuses on helping younger individuals reach their full potential, the club aims to use creative expression to educate others about crises happening around the world. According to Jain, they hope to encourage students at WA to spread information about major issues and learn about what they can do to help out globally.
“We wanted to spread awareness about different issues around the world, and how they are impacting all these different people, including people at WA,” Jain said.
Students Rebuild is collaborating with Creative Visions, an organization that empowers educators and activists to celebrate individuals’ unique identities. For each project submitted, Creative Visions will donate $5 to other organizations that are striving to create unity and change like Kids for Peace and CARE.
“The age of AI, plagiarism, and lack of creativity is detrimental for our society,” Gaudreau said. “We made the club so people can use their creative and artistic visions to communicate ideas about the world. If we can spread awareness in the school, students would be able to have their voices heard about topics that they are passionate about.
According to Jain, there will be an end of year gallery to showcase all of the artwork. Others who have participated in Students Rebuild in different years or chapters can come to see some of the creations made by members of this chapter.
Students Rebuild is a part of WA Pride, meaning students will be able to get volunteer hours for participating in the club. Additionally, those who submit their work will receive downloadable certificates of participation from the Students Rebuild website. Students Rebuild meets once a month, so students in multiple other clubs can still attend. The club will be hosted in the Club Cafe, which is advised by English teacher Emily Coates.
“I hope that Students Rebuild can be a club that students can attend to remember their creativity,” Gaudreau said.
