Most mums think their kids are special and genuinely like helping those less fortunate than themselves.
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This is exactly how Leia Thompson describes her soon to be seven-year-old daughter Penelope.
And she’s not exaggerating.
Actually, it is fitting Penelope does her best work for the Forever Projects charity, because the Mount Ousley Public School year 1 student is forever trying to help people as much as she can.
Mrs Thompson said her daughter first decided to help someone when she was just five and a half years-old.
“She would save her pocket money and buy chickens for people in Tanzania through the Forever Projects,” she said.
“Penelope wouldn’t actually buy chickens but vouchers that can be used by people in Tanzania to buy farm chickens for the purpose of starting some type of business.”
Penelope was back helping when Forever Projects, which empowers Tanzanian families to care for their children by giving them “initial life-saving support that will permanently allow them to move themselves out of poverty”, started their recycling project.
She is a kid with a good heart. She cares a lot about people and she loves helping people.
- Leia Thompson
She used the money she raised collecting and recycling bottles to buy someone in Tanzania a sewing machine.
“She is a kid with a good heart. She cares a lot about people and she loves helping people,” Mrs Thompson said.
“I think she thought this was a way she could help people that have less than her.
“She understands that there are other people living in areas around the world and even in Australia that aren’t as fortunate to be able to have food and a roof over their heads.
“She wants to be able to help.”
Penelope, who turns seven on Saturday, June 16 is continuing to collect and recycle cans and bottles to help Forever Projects raise $56,000 to employ more social workers and staff.
Her fellow Mount Ousley Public School students are also helping her out.
“The school were great when they found out about the project,” Mrs Thompson said.
“We collected about 500 bottles during a special collection day. But since Penelope started she has probably recycled over 4000 bottles and raised just over $1200 so far.”
Visit https://my.foreverprojects.com.au/penelope-thompson to help Penelope reach her $1500 goal.