Young poets raise $10K for Habitat for Humanity Yukon

Elijah Smith Elementary School teacher Robin Fairburn was thrilled her class raised $170in entries for writing poems, entered into a national writing contest

Then, two ofher Grade 6students, KiawnaLeasand SamaraJacob,made it further their poems made it into the top ten.

"They're absolutely thrilled that they were able to do this," said Fairburn.

"This would be many, many, cupcake sales and because of their fine writing skills, we raised this huge amount of money."

The poems were entered into the 11thannual "Meaning of Home" contest, put on byGenworthCanada. About 7,000 entries came in from across the country.

Leas and Jacobeach won a $5,000grant fromGenworthCanada, to provide to Habitat for Humanity's Yukon branch.

Poems about little brother, birthdays

Jacob wrote her poem about her busy family lifeanda little brother who she loves.

"I never knew that I would be one of those people to win, but it feels good," said Jacob.

She said it wasthe first time she hadwritten poetry.

Leas said she learned a lot more about the need for Habitat for Humanity.

"I learned how important it was to donate all this money to people who don't have enough money to buy their own houses," she said.

Leas wrote a poem about family, birthdays, anniversaries,potlatches and countless celebrations.

GenworthCanada is the largest residential mortgage insurer in Canada.

Itstarted the "Meaning of Home" contest in 2007for students in Grades 4to 6 to writeabout what homemeans to them.

Over the years, ithas provided over $1 millionto Habitat For Humanity Canadabranchesin every province and territory.

The grand prize of$50,000 this yearwas won by RyanMotafrom Winnipeg.