11-Year-Old Exceeds Year Long Fundraising Goal in Less Than Three Weeks: Needham Boys Bar Mitzvah Project Seeks to Make the World a Better Place by Helping Muslim Family

James Leabman, a sixth grader at Pollard Middle School, began his Bar Mitzvah training at Temple Beth Shalom by creating a year long fundraising project to build his Childreach-sponsored friend in Giza, Egypt a real roof to replace the cardboard that currently shelters his small home. James original goal of $1200 was met and surpassed in less than three weeks and the donations continue to come in. Christians, Jews and Muslims focus on similarities, not differences, in what has become known as Project Mohamed Shelter".

NEEDHAM, MA (PRWEB) February 9, 2004 --- James Leabman, a sixth grader at Pollard Middle School, began his Bar Mitzvah training at Temple Beth Shalom by creating a year long fundraising project to build his Childreach-sponsored friend in Giza, Egypt a real roof to replace the cardboard that currently shelters his small home. James original goal of $1200 was met and surpassed in less than three weeks and the donations continue to come in. Christians, Jews and Muslims focus on similarities, not differences, in what has become known as Project Mohamed Shelter".

After a trip to Egypt in December 2002, James realized that many children his age were living in abject poverty and wanted to find a way to help. The Leabman family chose two children in Giza to sponsor through Childreach, one of whom is 10-year-old Mohamed. The Childreach report on Mohameds family home disturbed James so much that he researched roofing online to try to find a way to ship materials to Cairo. After contacting the Egyptian affiliate of Childreach, Plan International, James learned that it would take almost $1000 to properly upgrade the house.

Frustrated that one child couldnt provide $1000 on his own, he put the idea aside. When assigned his Bar Mitzvah project of Gmilut Chasadim asking him to perform acts of loving kindness dedicated to making the world a better place, he didnt hesitate to challenge himself to raise the money for Mohameds roof. James comments, I thought 'I wouldnt want to have a cardboard roof myself and 'If we dont do this project this family will have to go another cold winter or blazing hot summer without a real roof" conveys the simple, heartfelt emotions of a boy on a mission. James committed allowance money, gift money and money he earns through chores to the effort.

He drafted a letter asking for donations and, with his family, compiled a list of over 125 names for the mailing list. Response was immediate and positive, praising James for his open-minded and thoughtful approach to making the world a better place by going beyond the boundaries of religion, skin color and geography. To date, donations from 25 people have totaled $1250. Sandy Whitecross, Educational Director of Temple Beth Shalom, says James has set the bar high for this program and we are all very happy to see him take on this challenge".

While James appreciates every dollar that is donated, he has other big ideas. Working with his father, he is planning a family yard sale in the spring, with all proceeds going to Project Mohamed Shelter. He is also exploring the idea of a Needham-wide bicycle event for children, with each nominal entry fee to be donated as well.

He has established a separate account at Citizens Bank to protect and track all funds. The day James made his first deposit (a $50 donation from his 14-year-old sister, Alix), he also impressed the bank manager with his innovative idea, prompting a matching donation from his own pocket. Another donor wrote, James hit a responsive chord in me since I am convinced that people (as opposed to so-called leaders") have a much clearer view of what is important in life, i.e., a leak-proof roof over ones head, school, jobs, health care, etc. You dont have much time to hate when youre focusing on these issues...and it doesnt much matter your ethnicity, your religion, the color of your skin or where you come from...these are human concerns -- period, end of sentence. So to see James sponsoring [this child] shows that he understands this very complex and yet very simple concept. I am impressed."

During the summer of 2004 or a school break, James and his mother will travel to Egypt to complete the project. He will meet Mohamed and his family in person and hopefully be there when the roof is being built. Since donations exceeded the goal, James determined that hell buy additional necessities for the family, including a purifier to keep them from drinking contaminated water and risking disease. All communication and travel funds are being provided by the Leabman family and are not being taken from donations.

For further information, please contact Jan Leabman at 781-820-0091 or projectmohamedshelter@hotmail.com. To make a donation, please mail a check payable to Project Mohamed Shelter" to Citizens Bank, 133 Chapel Street, Needham, MA 02492, ATTN: Branch Manager.

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Note: James continues to provide monthly sponsorship for Mohamed through Childreach in addition to this project. If you are interested in sponsoring a needy child, Childreach offers opportunities all over the world. Contact them at www.childreach.com or 1-800-556-7918