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Heart-Warming News From Saint Kentigern College

Friday 25 September 2015, 12:46PM

By Beckie Wright

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In these times when we are increasingly beset with news stories of youth going wrong in this country, it is extremely heart-warming to read of young people putting others first, thinking of others rather than themselves. Saint Kentigern has had a long association with World Vision, with the College, in particular, being one of the top fundraising schools in the country for many years. During the 40 Hour Famine this year,  students at the College raised a  phenomenal $100,000, which when added to the equally significant amounts of $26,960 from the Boys’ School and $7,090 from the Girls’ School has seen Saint Kentigern collectively pledge over $134,000 to this year’s fundraising appeal – a truly outstanding effort.

Last year, Service Co-ordinator at the College, Mr Mark Robinson, went on a scoping trip to Malawi in preparation for a student visit to this impoverished African country. The money raised over the last two years will be used to begin the Saint Kentigern community-to-community project in a village called Chigodi, supporting both the primary and secondary school. It will also provide water bores, agricultural support, livestock; chickens, goats and cows for farmers and assist with education.

In July, the College had the privilege of sending eighteen of their students, along with two staff members, to meet the Chigodi community in Malawi. On their return these students shared their experiences on the difference that the College’s support is making to the lives of the Chigodi children and families.  The students saw first-hand how the funds raised go directly to helping provide better health and education opportunities for so many in this community.

Many students across the three campuses contribute to the cause but there are always those who go the extra mile, and at a special assembly at the College, CEO of World Vision, Mr Chris Clarke was in attendance and presented Mr Robinson with the first Platinum Award for raising more than $100,000. ‘This is my favourite school assembly of all time’, he said. ‘We used to dream about a school raising $100,000 and you guys did it. We are so touched by your commitment to children around the world.’ He told of the confidence and hope that assistance such as this can provide to a community. Donations had helped enable Chigodi families to be given training in small scale irrigation to grow crops in times of drought, gardens had been introduced to schools, and goats had been bought. ‘We consider Saint Kentigern very much in the heart of the World Vision family.’

For more information on Saint Kentigern College please visit the website at http://www.saintkentigern.com