Seth given title after building clinic
A former Monkton Combe pupil has received a title after raising £50,000 for a Nigerian village that has suffered at the hands of a violent militia.
Seth Thomas, who left school last year, raised the money to build a much-needed health clinic in Asso, a community in the northern part of the country which he visited in October 2017. Asso has been subjected to violence from the Fulani Militia who target the villagers. While Seth was there he met Jude, a 15-year-old boy who had a badly infected leg after carrying a bullet in it for three weeks. Seth was inspired to do something that would make a life-changing difference to the people of Asso, so he set about raising the £50,000 needed to build a clinic. He arranged for the clinic campaign to be Monkton’s designated charity for 2017-18. A number of events were set up including a Colour Run - where participants are covered in powder and paint - which raised just over £4,900, and a programme of fundraising by all pupils that ran throughout the year, with parents and staff also getting involved. In total Monkton raised nearly £15,000 towards the project. In just over a year after his visit, Seth managed to raise the remainder of the money and the clinic is now built. Earlier this month Seth travelled back to the village to officially open the facility which has been named after him. On his arrival the Paramount Ruler of Kagoma Kingdon HRH Colonel Paul Zakka Wyom con- ferred on Seth Thomas the rare traditional title of ‘Byeh Gwong’ which means ‘Helper of Kagoma.’ HRH Paul Wyom said: “Our people will remain eternally grateful to Seth for his kind heart. “The clinic will benefit Asso and many other communities in the area” Seth said: “People told me it was impossible for me to raise the £50k needed for this Clinic, but I was spurred on by the constant image in my mind of these wonderful people who were suffering without complaint. “I now want to tell the story to inspire young people everywhere, we really can make a difference.” Monkton Principal Chris Wheeler praised his former pupil. He said: “It is amazing to see how much ambitious young people can achieve and I was delighted Monkton could play a part in this story. “Even more remarkable is that, far from being satisfied with all he has achieved already, Seth is now going on to found a charity which helps and supports other young people to make the same journey.”