SAAS – Sponsor an African Scholar recently held a get-together in Kilian House Family Centre to bring people up to date on how the Parish Social Justice Project is performing. Happily we can say this is a good news story.
The evening was attended by two Directors, David Maguire and Ebby Soinani together with the Kilquade & Greystones SAAS committee. There was an excellent representation of existing Sponsors and potential Sponsors. The Charity is an important part of our Parish as its Social Justice initiative.
David spoken about how the Charity functions. There are Three staff in Mombasa and they report and work closely with the Board, ensuring the Charity works fairly and within its legal parameters.
David told the group how students were shortlisted for sponsorship, in schools across Mombasa, generally only two or three students sponsored in any one school. Students have been exceeding expectations regarding their academic achievements, and this past year three students have done particularly well in the Kenyan State Exams. One achieved first place and was rewarded by his family with a gift of a whole chicken for himself. We are so delighted to say that a most generous donor presented these three students each with a Laptop – they were all so thrilled as this was way beyond anything they could ever hope to own at this stage of their academic Career. They all aspire to third level education, so sponsorship by SAAS will continue for them and many others.
Ebby, another Director, spoke of her own journey in life. She was sponsored by SAAS, took Counselling at Third level, and joined the SAAS team in Mombasa for a few years. Her experiences in this role were most rewarding. She told us of a particular student, who came to them looking for sponsorship – an orphan, who went through school, trained as a hairdresser, and who now proudly owns her own Salon and employs a number of people. She had sent Ebby photos of her Salon. Ebby left Mombasa, and now living in Germany and is a full Board member. She continues to work hard for the Charity.
Questions followed the presentations by David and Ebby. People ended the evening over some refreshments, getting a good feel for SAAS and its value to the local community in Mombasa.
Some have expressed an interest in becoming involved. What makes this Charity stand out from others is that Sponsors take on individual children, making a real impact on the individual student. Once a child starts on this journey SAAS ensures their sponsorship will last as long as they continue to commit to their education.
Annual sponsorship is €420 – this can be paid by setting up a standing order of €35 per month, or once off. Students are currently being supported by groups and by families, or partially by one individual and we coordinate funds from another individual to ensure each student has the required amount to fund their education.
If you would like to join this project by sponsorship at any level please contact our Secretary Vanessa on 087 4187616 or email mary.dillon4646@gmail.com and we will be happy to have a chat and answer any further questions, or help you to set up a sponsorship.
You can also become a donor by donating through our website www.saas.ie
We hope you will become part of this good feel, good news story.
Mary Dillon
Chairperson.
Student with excellent grades whose family gave him a chicken! |
Freddie, and Silvia from the SAAS office with one of the sponsored computers which were given to the best students in the Kenya State exam. |
One of the winning students. |
The winning students in front of of the SAAS offices. |
Ebby, one of the SAAS Directors, who spoke at the SAAS meeting. She made a huge impression through telling her story. |