While the people of Japan continue to work to eradicate the effects of March’s massive earthquake, students at Montclair Kimberly Academy have joined the international relief effort in providing support to those most in need through the World Cares Center (WCC) Kids4Kids campaign.

As Japanese kids struggle to return to life as it was before the catastrophe, their New Jersey counterparts have been writing letters and collecting soccer equipment to demonstrate their empathy and solidarity with the cause. From their humanitarian efforts, Academy students gain invaluable experience in service learning participation as well as a sense of autonomy over events that can leave even the most mature of adults feeling vulnerable and disempowered.

Kids4Kids allows local students to contribute to a movement that encompasses people worldwide. The campaign provides kids the opportunity to engage with different cultures experiencing unique difficulties while teaching them the merits of charitable endeavors.

Kids4Kids is one aspect of WCC’s more extensive programming to teach youth to prevent household hazards and respond effectively to emergency situations. Kids learn to become “Masters of Disaster,” rather than the purveyors of such occurrences, and to assist family and neighbors in times of need. The skills they learn help alleviate the fear common when experiencing events that are beyond anyone’s control.