Portland High School students in teacher Sally Reagan’s Global Studies classes went on a field trip recently to learn about a Pakistani schoolgirl who has made headlines fighting for the right of girls to have an education. The students also are running a clothing drive until Nov. 20 to raise funds for girls’ education.
The students on Oct. 15 went to see a documentary film titled, “He Named Me Malala.” It’s about a Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out in favor of girls’ education. She survived and continues to fight for her cause on a world stage, even giving a speech to the United Nations.
“The students gained much in terms of understanding the geography and history of Pakistan as well as Malala's own story and family life,” Reagan said. “It was an amazing film!”
She said she secured a $500 grant from the Malala Fund though Donor's Choose. The grant paid for the students to see a special showing of the film at the Nickelodeon on Temple Street.
Now the learning experience is being followed up by a class clothing drive to help raise funds for literacy programs for girls around the world. The students are asking for or donating their own gently worn female clothing. Anyone who wants to contribute to the drive can drop clothing off at PHS until Nov. 20, Reagan said.