Chippewa students raise money for war survivors

A pair of Chippewa Secondary School students have raised some significant funds for a unique program. 

Paris Fuzy and Zachary Kizell, who are in the International Baccalaureate diploma program, have raised $850 for the Big Fix Uganda. 

The non-for-profit organization rescues and rehabilitates and trains stray dogs to place with Ugandan war survivors suffering from PTSD.   

Paris Fuzy, who has an interest in veterinary medicine, found out about the program and figured it would be an ideal project for them to undertake.   

“I first heard about the Big Fix Uganda through a short BBC documentary and instantly knew that this was a cause worth supporting," said Paris.  

"The next day Zachary and I were organizing a raffle for the school and getting in contact with the Big Fix." 

The Big Fix also operates the only veterinary clinic in Northern Uganda.

The region is currently in the midst of a deadly rabies outbreak and the clinic desperately needs funds for several emergency vaccination clinics. The student fundraiser ran from February 1st to 19th and raised over $850 through Facebook. This far surpassed the initial goal of $650. The money will go toward sponsoring both of the program’s initiatives.

The Chippewa students were in contact with the President and project coordinator of the nonprofit, Sarah Schmidt, throughout the planning and enacting of the project. 

Schmidt also provided Paris and Zachary with the opportunity to reach more people through Facebook by sharing their fundraiser on the Big Fix Uganda and the Comfort Dog Project’s pages. The fundraiser ultimately received donations from residents of England, the USA, and Canada.

The fundraiser was originally planned as a raffle through Chippewa Secondary School last March but was postponed until February 2021 due to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

“Although COVID interrupted and repeatedly delayed our fundraiser for almost a year, we eventually found a solution through online fundraising. After so long, I’m very glad that we were able to support The Big Fix and that the fundraiser went well,” Zachary said about the change of fundraising plans. 

Guidance Counsellor, Colleen Point, was impressed with the student’s dedication to completing the project.

“These two students had to face so many obstacles and unplanned changes due to COVID-19," said Point.  

"Each time there was a set-back they kept a positive mindset and stayed committed to their goal. I am so impressed with their perseverance and dedication."

In addition to successfully sponsoring one comfort dog and guardian pair, the excess money will go toward emergency rabies vaccination clinics and will be used to provide rabies vaccinations for 175 dogs.