Shrewsbury – Though Uganda, East Africa, is time zones away from St. Mary School in Shrewsbury, the grade six students recently learned that their contributions have a significant impact on children across the globe. As a result of their service efforts, students raised $920. The donation was sent to Raising Up Hope for Uganda (RUHU), an organization that helps orphaned, abandoned, homeless and vulnerable children by providing shelter, clothing, medical and education resources and spiritual guidance.
The students were inspired to offer their assistance after hearing a presentation by Cecile Cote, former Media Center Specialist at St. Mary School. Cote’s daughter Catherine, a St. Mary School alumnae, made the initial contact when she served as a volunteer at RUHU in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
As part of St. Mary’s commitment to service, students agreed to raise money for this organization as part of their class service project. Students participated in extra chores at home, including doing dishes, sweeping and mopping. Some gave up privileges such as electronics for a set period of time. The funds were utilized to sponsor two students, Gavin, 10 and Aisha, 6. The sponsorship provided Gavin and Aisha with food, water and shelter as well as access to school to fulfill their education and spiritual needs.
Patrick SSenyonjo, RUHU’s founder and director, recently visited the fifth- and sixth-grade students at St. Mary’s to thank them for their generous donations and share stories of Ugandan children.
To learn more about Raising up Hope for Uganda, visit www.raisinguphope.org or www.beautifulresponse.org (RUHU’s United States based partner).
