School inspires support
In 2002, Gemma Sisia and Kim Saville along with Angela Bailey and three students, started the School of St Jude in the Arusha region in Tanzania, East Africa.
Eleven years later, the school has a roll of 1600 and every year thousands of applications are received to secure one of 150 places.
Rotary Club of Matamata president Graeme Guilford said when he visited in January 2006, he was impressed by the level of enthusiasm.
‘‘ The bell rang and these kids would drop what they were doing and start sprinting toward the class room yelling, ‘yay, yay’,’’ he said. ‘‘They are so eager to learn.’’ That visit prompted Mr Guilford and his wife to start sponsoring a child attending the school.
‘‘The best thing about supporting this school is that every cent that is donated, goes directly back to the school and its local community.’’
The Rotary Club of Matamata, Matamata Kiwanis, Hinuera/Te Poi and Matamata Lions have come together to raise funds for the school.
On April 9, Kim Saville will be in Matamata to give a presentation about the work that has been done at the School of St Jude.
For $30, people will get a twocourse meal, hear Kim speak and $5 will go directly to the school.
There are also other things planned for the night to raise funds but the details of these are yet to be confirmed.
‘‘Kim travels all over the world spreading the word about what is being achieved at the School of St Jude,’’ Mr Guilford said.
‘‘ Matamata is such a generous community. I’m sure we can do our bit.’’