From a teachers’ dive-bombing competition and water-bombs to fruit juice ice-cubes, a children’s party and Festive Fayre stalls, Year 13 students have shown their imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and charitable nature, organising a vast range of events to raise money for Tanzanian children.

A total of nearly BD1300 has been raised by two separate groups of students, all of whom are involved in trips to Tanzania this year. Last September, they were given the target of raising US$ 2000 and $5000 respectively to support a community project; the funds raised will eventually enable a number of Tanzanian children to receive abasic education that they might otherwise not have had access to.

The first group of students are pursuing the Gold level of the International Award and will be completing their final expedition in Tanzania in February 2009.

Their fund-raising efforts began at this year’s swimming Gala.  Senior school students paid to vote for the teachers they most wished to see compete in a Dive Bombing competition at the end of the School Swimming Gala.  The teachers with the highest number of votes, Mr. Keeble, Mr. Benson, Dr. Goucem and Mr. Dixon-Clarke, then competed to see who could make the biggest splash.

Unfortunately, Mr. Freeman was unable to participate in the event despite receiving a high proportion of the votes.  However, he didn’t let anyone down, agreeing to be water-bombed instead on the last day of term!  For good measure, he was then thrown in the school swimming pool. Soft drinks and fruit juice ice-cubes were also sold on the day, providing competitors and spectators with much needed refreshment.

The students then showed their organisational capabilities by setting up and running a hugely popular fancy dress party for children in Years 5 & 6.  Activities on offer included henna, face-painting, dance and limbo competitions, lucky dip and cake decorating.

In a final push to meet their target, drinks were sold at the ISTA disco and they also ran a souvenir stall for participants from visiting schools.  Some students also ran stalls at the Festive Fayre, donating the proceeds to the Tanzania fund. Over BD 600 has been raised altogether.  Well done and a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved!

The students have now handed over the fund-raising baton to 36 students from Years 11 to 13 who will participate in the Tanzania Community Service trip in July. These students will spend four days working on the project, giving practical as well as financial support.
selling soft drinks
Building on earlier successes, these students organised a variety of initiatives: selling drinks and ice-cube lollies on Sports Day; Sales of Krispy Crème donuts and home-baked pizza as well as a Bake sale.  Several students also organised collections amongst their friends and neighbours.   We are also grateful for the generosity of several parents who have made cash donations to further support the project.