Students to help African children

West Moreton Anglican College students Hannah Roberts, Rebecca Moss, Daniel Rogers and Emma Eustace are off to Tanzania to help out with the local communities.

Rob Williams

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FOUR West Moreton Anglican College students are giving up half of their Christmas holidays to help struggling kids in Africa.

Year 11 students Rebecca Moss, Daniel Rogers and Emma Eustace and Year 10 student Hannah Roberts will travel to The School of St Jude in Arusha, northern Tanzania, at the end of the year.

During a three-week stay they will be responsible not only for teaching a class of students, but for organising a sports day and doing general jobs around the school.

Despite being a third-world city, Arusha is situated in a picturesque part of eastern Africa, close to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro – where the students will go for a hiking adventure during their stay.

Hannah said it was a speech from Bernie Kelly – founder of youth organisation YLead – which inspired her to take part in the trip.

“He basically told us about Mt Kilimanjaro and St Jude’s and showed us some photos of other kids over there,” Hannah said.

“It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to experiencing something completely new.”

Hannah, along with the other three students, has been working hard to raise $450 for the overseas adventure.

West Moreton Anglican College principal Geoff McLay said the foursome would have no trouble drumming up support.

“The WestMAC community is very proud of Emma, Hannah, Rebecca and Daniel for their dedication and determination to make a difference in the world,” Mr McLay said.

“This is a significant service and leadership project that embodies WestMAC’s ethos of faith, knowledge, service.

“We wish them all the best for their trip to Tanzania and look forward to hearing about their remarkable experiences when they return.”

According to The School of St Jude website, about 80 per cent of Tanzanian children will start primary school but only half will complete it.

About five per cent of Tanzanian children will complete secondary school – compared with 85 per cent in Australia.

Rebecca, Daniel and Emma leave for Tanzania at the end of November, while Hannah will depart in January.