Ojai Christian Academy's motto is "Faith, Knowledge and Service." Once again, students are stepping up to that challenge as they work to raise money to support World Vision's efforts to build water wells for impoverished communities in Africa. On December 8-9, the school, with the support of Ojai Valley Community Church, joined with local crafters to host a Christmas Craft Bazaar, where they sold homemade crafts and baked goods to support this effort.

For weeks, the students have been busy making gift baskets, Christmas ornaments and decorative pieces in preparation for this bazaar. According to Rie Dekker, the teacher who organized the event, "The kids have been just great on this project. Not only are they having fun creating beautiful things, but they've learned a lot about how fortunate we are here in Ojai, and that the things we take for granted - like clean water - are truly precious."

The students at Ojai Christian Academy also sponsor a child through World Vision - a young girl named Aida. Each week during their chapel program, Academy students are given the opportunity to help Aida by donating their spare change, which provide her with clean clothes, food, water, health care and education.

It costs World Vision just over $5,000 to provide a community with a well that's about 60 feet deep. Such a well can provide more than 600 gallons of safe water a day for drinking, bathing, irrigating crops, and nourishing livestock. The Christmas Bazaar raised just over $500, however the seemingly insurmountable size of the $5,000 challenge has not overwhelmed these students at the Academy. They know that every little bit helps. All funds raised by Ojai Christian Academy students' special projectsduring December will go towards this effort, and if you'd like to financially participate in this project, please contact the school.

For more information on Ojai Christian Academy, visit their website, www.OjaiChristianAcademy.com, or call the office, (805)646-7386.