Revere sophomore Paige Fritz gained awareness of the unfortunate situations of people in less-developed areas of the world. With the help of sophomore Angelo Bucci and their AP Statistics teacher Susan Sanders, she discovered a way to spread awareness while simultaneously raising funds for disadvantaged people and providing the donors with a unique, colorful and handmade product. The Revere High School community rallied behind them and allowed their project to succeed in raising funds.

The Pulsera project, which has visited over 1,000 U.S. schools since its foundation in 2009, stresses cultural exchange and fair trade initiatives. The Project raises money for Nicaraguan, Rwandan and Guatemalan artisans by selling traditional bracelets, which the artisans make themselves. They brought the Pulsera Project to Revere through Project Love, a character development program focusing on teen leadership.

Fritz, who brought the idea of the Pulsera Project to Revere, explained why the project initially interested her and how she initiated the drive at Revere.

“I got the idea from my mom, who bought me a bracelet when she had a sale at her school. It was pretty easy to start the sale at our school. I just emailed the employees of the project and they sent the bracelets,” Fritz said.

Fritz went on to explain that the proceeds go to the artists, communities and youth programs.  The project helps provide education, Fair Trade jobs and housing to those in Central America.

Fritz and Bucci sold the bracelets at a display set up in the cafeteria during their own lunchtimes. Fritz enjoyed the charitable experience and her peers’ support of it.

“Selling pulseras has been a really great experience. It is such an easy way to help such an important cause, and it’s great knowing that students at our school were able to help people across the globe. I was so impressed with the organization, helpfulness, and creativity of those working at the Project. Everything was provided for us, and the selling process was really simple and fun,” Fritz said.

Bucci, another Revere sophomore, assisted Fritz with the Pulsera Project.  Bucci explained that he got involved with the Project because Fritz informed him about the cause, and he shared her desire to help raise money for the third-world countries.  Bucci added how he thinks the Pulsera Project benefits the Revere community.

“The Pulsera sales benefit Revere by coloring our world. The Pulsera project uses the phrase ‘Color the World’ when referencing the sales of pulsera bracelets. They allow pulsera buyers to boast the design and craftsmanship of the Nicaraguan, Guatemalan and Rwandan artists. The bracelets raise awareness about the lives of less privileged people in other countries that people, especially us teenagers in America, often forget about. The Pulsera sales benefit Revere by bringing awareness for people who we do not often consider,” Bucci said.

The turnout similarly impressed Bucci, who specified the amount of funds raised.

“Over the course of two weeks, the sales had amounted to an excess of $1000 that will go towards Nicaraguan youth and education. That means that more than 200 bracelets have been sold along with most of the bags, [also known as bolsitas,] shown at lunch. In my opinion, this has been a great turnout,” Bucci said.

Sanders, a Revere statistics teacher and Revere Project Love advisor, helped the students organize the sale. She explained how Fritz and Bucci approached her with the idea of the Pulsera Project.

“I did not bring [the idea of the Pulsera Project] to Revere at all. [The Project] is pretty much student-initiated, and that’s one of the concepts of Project Love. Students come with their ideas, and then Project Love tries to make it happen. . .  [Bucci] and [Fritz] brought [the Pulsera Project] to my attention, and what is interesting about the organization or that particular project is that it supports free trade for the countries in Central America and their human rights,” Sanders said.

Sanders also explained more about Project Love and why she values the program.

“Project Love is an organization, a loosely-knit organization where students [can] champion a certain cause like the American Cancer Society or the Pulsera for Central America. We have one student who is trying to have donations for the Syrian refugees. They’ll come to us, and then we try to see what means are necessary to accomplish their ends…. The Pulsera Project exceded my expectations on the donations accomplished…. I was just completely amazed [by the turnout,]” Sanders said.

The students sold the products at lunch.  Fritz explained the volume of the sales, selling about 280 bracelets raising $1,400 alone and 7 bags which made $70.

The project has impressed the organizers by proving the Revere community’s willingness to support their cause and has left those who purchased bracelets with a colorful reminder of their contribution. Sales ended February 5, but those involved noted the possibility of a future return of the program.