During the uncertainty created by the pandemic, many are looking for answers to the questions they have concerning the virus and its spread. And sometimes, it’s best to have to questions answered by someone like oneself.
That was the idea behind the Health Hacking Crisis Network’s Children’s COVID Storybook Challenge. And out of a list of seven finalists, the story “The Four Musketeers, An Old Man and His Garden: A COVID-19 Storybook” by Lebanon Trail High School sophomore Rhea Rai took the top prize of $1,000 and the chance to see her tale of neighbors coming together amid the pandemic published, with the intention helping other students better understand the science of the virus.
“As a student passionate about both the sciences and the humanities, the HHCN Book Challenge really captivated me, because it allowed me to use my writing to convey issues and topics I really care about," Rai said in a statement.
Full disclosure: NTX Inno was one of a number of local judges asked to help determine the winning story.
The HHCN, is a nonprofit organization created in March by Health Wildcatters CEO Huber Zajicek as a way to connect innovators across the globe to work on pandemic-related issues. In addition to projects like sourcing PPE and 3D printing material, the HHCN put out a call for submissions to its book contest in July.
“HHCN, was founded… as a rapid-reaction force of volunteers to deal with the quickly developing health crisis due to COVID 19,” Zajicek said in a statement. “This summer, as we were looking at new projects, we came up with the COVID Children’s Storybook Challenge. The purpose was to see if we can find some stories that are uplifting to children amid the crisis.”
The purpose of the contest, in addition to providing factual information about COVID-19 and its spread, is to also help teach kids good habits to prevent the virus and other infectious diseases.
Rai’s story follows four friends – Amara, Tom, Jill and Victor – as they experiences changes caused by COVID in their neighborhood. As the friends as playing outside (socially-distanced, of course), the find one of their old neighbors, Mr. Holt, is getting meaner and more reclusive. While the others in the group dislike the old man even more, Amara finds out his anger stems from loneliness and isolation. So, the friends to their best to make him feel welcomed in the community.
“I hope that my story will encourage and inspire kids to maintain safe practices during the pandemic,” Rai said.
