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Lord Byng students go 'hog wild' in aid of orphanage

This pig wasn't wearing lipstick, but it was still happy to be kissed. And three teachers were voted to do so at Richmond's Lord Byng elementary last Friday.
lord byng
Students at Lord Byng elementary raised funds for a Cambodian orphanage by nominating a teacher to kiss a 12-week-old pot-bellied pig. Three eventually did the deed, including Jennifer Smith seen here. Photo submitted

This pig wasn't wearing lipstick, but it was still happy to be kissed.

And three teachers were voted to do so at Richmond's Lord Byng elementary last Friday.

Why? To raise money to send Grade 2/3 teacher Jennifer Smith, and her sister Kelly, a teacher at General Gordon elementary in Vancouver, to Honour Village Cambodia in mid-March.

Honour Village Cambodia is an orphanage and school which provides a home, education and loving care to 52 children in need. Some of these children are orphans, others come from families whose parents are too poor to provide for their basic needs. Honour Village Cambodia also offers free education to all the surrounding village children.

The school's "Kiss the Pig Fundraiser" raised close to $1,100 for the Cambodian orphanage and school. Staff and students donated $1 and in turn got to vote for their favourite teacher to kiss a pig. The goal was to raise at least $1,600 US to cover the costs of hiring a full-time teacher at the Cambodian orphanage for a year.

Langley's Mim's Farms generously delivered a 12 week old pot-bellied pig to the school, and the overwhelming response from students to the unnamed pig struck a chord with the owners who later named the pig "Byng."

Though kissing the pig was entertainment, Smith explains, the fundraiser was about teaching by example, and for students to take on a small role of global stewardship by helping the charity.

If you wish to donate to the school's efforts, contact Lord Byng Elementary at 604-668-6649.