St. Vrain Montessori's Upendo Emporium celebrates third year

By Katie Torres, head of school

St. Vrain Community Montessori School

St. Vrain Community Montessori School announced March 17 that its Upper Elementary student­ run store, Upendo Emporium, benefiting the school's sister school in the United Republic of Tanzania, is celebrating three years of operation.

St. Vrain Community Montessori School (SVCMS) is a public charter school that offers pre-K through ­eighth grade authentic Montessori programs to the families it serves. Upendo Emporium: Supplies for Change is a thriving nonprofit store run entirely by the Upper Elementary students at St. Vrain Community Montessori School in Longmont, now in its third year of operation. All store profits have been sent to Upendo School in Usa River, Tanzania. These profits have funded Upendo School's first library shelf, an ultraviolet water purification system, science materials, sports equipment, art supplies, classroom furniture, books and much more.

The SVCMS connection to Tanzania began with Betsy Hoke, the founder of Evergreen Montessori School. In anticipation of her first trip to Africa, she asked SVCMS Upper Elementary students to sew waterproof book bags so that her Tanzanian students could bring home books to read to their families for the first time. Upendo School students sent back letters in thanks for these book bags, and pen pal relationships have flourished ever since.

SVCMS students met in the summer of 2012 and voted to create a school store to raise money for their new pen pals' school, and by the fall, Upendo Emporium: Supplies for Change was ready for business.

Student enthusiasm has helped Upendo Emporium grow in unexpected ways since its founding. What began as a service project has grown into a culture of empowerment as students are given opportunities to recognize and applaud the talents of their peers. Some students, inspired by the clear difference they are making in the lives of their pen pals, have started their own philanthropic businesses under the umbrella of Upendo Emporium. Others have found their creative voices in writing advertisements and product descriptions for the Emporium's catalog. Still others have mentored each other through money work and role-­played customer service situations in order to help younger students earn business licenses.

After three years in business, Upendo Emporium fosters a sense of empowerment both in Colorado and in Tanzania. Montessori philosophy is at the heart of Upendo Emporium's work: Competent, confident students are driven by authentic, collaborative learning that is characteristic of their age and place in development; the work is purposeful and relevant and students know they are making a contribution; and through service, the students build their own community and feel a connection the world community.

Students in both Colorado and Tanzania now think as entrepreneurs. SVCMS students recently sent art supplies to Tanzania and their pen pals sent back bookmarks and friendship bracelets they had made, which Upendo Emporium now sells.

SVCMS students are developing new environmentally responsible product lines and delving into opening the store to adults with fair trade items such as coffee and chocolate. This year, the students are working toward their goal of sending Montessori materials to Tanzania to supply their first- through third-grade classrooms. The future of Upendo Emporium is in creative, capable hands and will continue to change lives, both in Colorado and in Tanzania.

For more information about St. Vrain Community Montessori School, call 303­-682-­4339 or go to www.svcmontessori.org.