Wicklow People

Rotary club to help students fundraise for St Jude’s School

- By MYLES BUCHANAN

THE Rotary Club of Wicklow is organising a table quiz and dinner to help students from the Dominican College Wicklow to raise funds for the School of St Jude in Tanzania.

It may be over 11,000km from Wicklow town to Tanzania, but students from the local Dominican College are making an enormous contributi­on in bringing both countries together through a visionary educationa­l project. Tanzania has endemic poverty and is unable to provide its children with a quality education as the government school system is overstretc­hed and vastly under-resourced.

The School of St Jude was formed in 2002 and educates disadvanta­ged students. When they finish their education they then return to their communitie­s to demonstrat­e educationa­l leadership in Tanzania. The school receives no State funding so depends entirely on voluntary donations. A few years ago students from Dominican College decided to help by raising €3,000 each month which goes directly to the school.

The Rotary Club of Wicklow has supported the Dominican students fundraisin­g campaign for St. Jude’s since it was initiated. On Friday, March 23, Rotary is hosting a table quiz in the Grand Hotel at 7.30 p.m. in collaborat­ion with the Dominican students and their supporters to increase its funding.

‘We urge people in Wicklow to come out and support this visionary project and also learn about the remarkable work carried out by local students,’ said Pat Kerr, President of Wicklow Rotary. ‘They have shown remarkable skills and initiative in supporting this worthwhile educationa­l venture and we are delighted to support them.’

Teacher John O’Brien said the school is extremely proud of the efforts of the Wicklow students.

‘They have raised over €100,000 for the school of St Jude and also sponsor students in helping to give them an education and a chance in life that they would not otherwise have. Drawn from families who often live on less than €1 per day, the pupils of St Jude’s are shining examples of what students can achieve when they are given the opportunit­y to receive a quality education.’

Those wishing to attend can contact John O’Brien on (0404) 68111 or (087) 6598309 or Pat Kerr at (086) 3398390. The Tickets are priced at €30 each or €120 for a team of four.

 ??  ?? John O’Brien of Dominican College Wicklow with the thirteen students who raise funds.
John O’Brien of Dominican College Wicklow with the thirteen students who raise funds.

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