Condolences

St Thomas More’s Primary School will greatly miss the presence of gently spoken Dean Herpen. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the Herpen Family.

Mini Vinnies

During our last meeting, the Mini Vinnies Team voted to have a Disney theme for our visit to Southern Cross Care Campbell which will take place on Friday, 14 June (Week 7). We will begin creating our performances this coming Thursday at lunchtime after eating time.

Seasons for Growth

There will be two groups for the Seasons for Growth Program. Parents of the children participating in the program will be notified of the details of the program by an email by the end of this week.

Kitenden Preschool Update

Mini Vinnies fundraising from Term 1 went towards the Kitenden Preschool Project which is managed by the Future Warriors Project charity. Our school has sponsored this project since 2014 to support the children in this Maasai community in Tanzania, Africa that has been struggling due to drought and modernisation.

We receive Quarterly Reports which update sponsors on progress. The most recent report was very positive. January to March 2019 the preschool had an enrolment of 62 children. Attendance rates are high. The children are taught beginner Swahili and counting skills in preparation for primary school (the Maasai language is spoken and not written and the schools teach in Swahili). The children receive two nutritious meals a day. There has been ongoing success with the chickens and vegetable farm. The clinic is being utilised.

It has been very dry.

Message from Sianga Kuyan, founder of Future Warriors Project:

“It's humbling to see a simple idea with a small group of people who cares to give those who are less privileged, educational opportunity which continues to be a great success for the Maasai people of Kitenden on the foot of Kilimanjaro.

I believe that by working together in an organised way, we can do the things that help kids reach their potential. I also believe that to be successful, community members should help lead the movement. I am a big fan of co-design and community empowerment and I will ensure we strengthen our community members in leadership roles across everything we do at the preschool and any other project.”

For more information on the Kitenden Preschool Project, see their new look website https://www.futurewarriorsproject.org/what-we-do/education-and-early-childhood-development . It has information on volunteering and a new section promoting eight unique Maasai cultural tours developed as part of their cultural tourism capacity building project.

Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .

Sonja Mingay
School Chaplain

Work hours: Thu 11am-3pm, Fri 9am-3pm