BRIDGETOWN students are starting to see the benefits of their fundraising ventures aimed at helping to build a new school and provide resources for a small overseas community.
Last year a number of students from Bridgetown Primary School raised over $2000 to help fund the set up of a school for students and families in Fort Rixon, Zimbabwe.
The students raised the money by being sponsored to give up some of their everyday privileges, such as their beds, electronic items, food and shoes. They also held a cake stall.
The money raised was presented to Living Foundation Australia Chairperson Louise Furniss at a school assembly. Ms Furniss explained that their awesome efforts would make a huge difference to the lives of so many in Zimbabwe by supporting the creation of a new school as well as going towards veggie gardens, crops, better houses and many other resources.
The students were thanked again for their fantastic efforts when they were able to meet with Tatenda Toera, the Coordinator of Living Foundation in Zimbabwe. Mr Toera was hosted by Ms Furniss in Nannup for six weeks on an educational tour of Australia.
The students met with Mr Toera for an afternoon tea in Bridgetown and later spent a morning with him to participate in a 10km fundraising walk around Donnelly Mill. The walk was aimed at replicating how far the children in Port Rixon have to walk every day to go to school and back.
18 children and adults took part in the walk, with over $1000 being raised to go towards the projects.
Ms Furniss told the students how inspirational their efforts have been to so many and how they have already made such a great change to those that are less fortunate than them.
"You have inspired so many other people by choosing to do what you are doing for those less fortunate than yourselves," Ms Furniss said. "When I have explained to others what you have done, there is this amazement that 'those kids from Bridgetown' would do such an innovative and kind act all on their own."
Mr Toera explained to the students the benefits their fundraising had made to his community.
"We have made a learning centre for people in my community to use," Mr Toera said. "We have one teacher and he has to know a lot of stuff. One day we will build a brand new school and many more will benefit from this.
"It is good that you are helping to build a school for students over there. One day I would like you to come and visit and see how good it is and you will feel a part of it."
