June Canavan's drive helps 200 into school in Africa

(posted 03.03.10)
       
More than $130,000 raised in a campaign started by the late Sunshine Coast sports physician June Canavan has allowed about 200 children to start school in Africa.

Gemma Sisia, the founder of St Jude’s school in Tanzania, said the money raised through Dr Canavan’s Klocking Up the Ks program went towards building two new classrooms which were being used by Year 1 and pre-school children this year.

Dr Canavan was killed last August in a plane crash in Papua New Guinea, part-way through a series of mountain treks to raise money for the school, but friends carried on her fundraising in her memory and more than doubled her original target.

Without the funding boost St Jude’s annual intake of new students would have stalled last year because of tough economic times.

Mrs Sisia said the school had decided not to take on any new students last year because of the numbers left without child sponsorships because of the global financial crisis.

“Dr June helped build classrooms for future students and the classrooms that her money went towards already have students in them,” she said.

“We were able to reverse the decision.”

Mrs Sisia visited Buderim’s Matthew Flinders Anglican College, which has supported St Jude’s with fundraising and student visits, on February 23, and will speak at the Pat Daley Community Centre at Maleny from 1pm today as part of a national fundraising tour.

Mrs Sisia’s mission this year is to raise $3.4 million for primary school buildings at St Jude’s.

The school currently has 1300 students up to Year 8 and grows by about 200 each year, with new students accepted on the basis of economic hardship and aptitude.

Mrs Sisia accepted her fundraising was a big task but is determined to get there.

“I’ve learned to break big problems down, so basically I’m asking people to sponsor one square metre of block wall for $100,” she said.

“Ten people is 10sq m, which is a bit of a wall.”

Go to www.schoolofstjude.co.tzfor information or Mrs Sisia’s Australian itinerary.

- story Janine Hill, Sunshine Coast Daily
- photo Warren Lynam, Sunshine Coast Daily

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