Staff members at Lachine's Berges-de-Lachine elementary school have created a GoFundMe page to help the family of 10-year-old Ariel Jeffrey Kouakou as they continue to wait for news from their son, who hasn't been seen since Monday.
Ariel's father teaches a welcome class for immigrant children at the school. Throughout the week, staff members have gone to visit Kouadio Kouakou — known to staff and students as Monsieur Frédéric — to help with the search, and to offer their support.
"It's been very tough. The school's been very somber this week," says one of Monsieur Frédéric's colleagues, English teacher Dahlia Merlo. "We all love him. He's a very, very kind man. He's new at the school this year, but he integrated very, very well. He's a cherished member of the staff."
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The money raised will go mainly toward easing the family's everyday worries — including catered meals, so the family won't have to worry about cooking, dishes and grocery shopping, psychological support, and assistance in taking care of their youngest child, a 4-year-old daughter.
In its first 24 hours, the GoFundMe page has raised $2,500 — well above it's initial goal of $1,000.