Summer, 2019.
A class of 22 Canadian secondary school students, their three teachers, and a team of local experts, found themselves volunteering on a public school renovation project in Tanzania, East Africa.
A class of 22 Canadian secondary school students, their three teachers, and a team of local experts, found themselves volunteering on a public school renovation project in Tanzania, East Africa.
Now, meet Seraphin.
Seraphin John Ndanu is a 21 year old aspiring medical student from Kirua, Tanzania. Seraphin had been volunteering at Keura Public School, teaching the young children (along with his younger brothers) after hours, and without pay.
Seraphin took note of the work we were doing, and saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity appear. We were just visitors on a “high school courses abroad” program; Seraphin bravely asked us to be a little bit more than that, so that he could be something more for his community.
For Seraphin, and many like him, the only chance to attend college is to find a patron willing to fund their education through sponsorship. Acting on Seraphin’s behalf, the headmistress (principal) of Kirua Public School presented us with a hand-written letter from her most favoured alumni.
This letter details Serpahin’s dream to continue his education, and eventually become a doctor and help his local village. Seraphin’s parents passed away at a young age, and his grandmother can no longer financially support his education.
The MEI “Expedition to Tanzania” teachers, have already arranged the necessary start-up costs to get Seraphin enrolled in his first semester, and supported with basics such as; bedding, school materials, and transport to BESHA Health Training Institute. MEI Academy has agreed to match that contribution bringing us to a solid 1K. Now the Expedition to Tanzania 2019 class is teaming up again to raise the remainder.
Please help us raise enough funds to sponsor Seraphin’s university tuition. If you think about how often many of us will buy a coffee, or a mid-day snack without a second thought, perhaps we can now choose to do something different with our efforts. With ANY donation, big or small, you will be helping to change the life of our dear friend Seraphin, who in turn, hopes to help the people from his small village of Kirua Vunjo, Kilimanjaro.
This is the first step toward what we hope will soon become, an annual sponsorship program, so if this takes off, we can continue to change the lives of local Tanzanians every year. With your contribution, you will be helping us start this life-changing program.
Sincerely,
MEI Academy and the Expedition to Tanzania 2019 team:
Amanda Tabone, Kevin St. Denis, Josh Baker, Alexander Main, Alexis Van Esch, Allison Secko, Ashleigh St Croix, Carly Fyke, Evan Patterson, Jesse Dalby, Julia Turliuk, Kaia Ybema, Kaileigh-Anne Grnak, Kaiya Robertson, Lauren Motherwell, Lia Sardella, Lily McClelland, Lindsay Nelson, Locklyn Willson, Lucy Boates, Owen Cleveland, Russell Van Raalte, Saige Stretch, Sadie Dumba, Sophie Lake.
-----
We have done our due diligence in confirming the authenticity of Seraphin’s story through our intermediary and local connections on the ground in Tanzania. We have had a long and trusted relationship with our 3rd-party companies in Moshi: Milestones Ltd. and the Second Chance Education Centre.
If you have any questions about the exact breakdown of costs (tuition, accommodation, food, uniforms, school materials etc.) Please contact [email redacted] and we will send over a detailed breakdown.
Seraphin John Ndanu is a 21 year old aspiring medical student from Kirua, Tanzania. Seraphin had been volunteering at Keura Public School, teaching the young children (along with his younger brothers) after hours, and without pay.
Seraphin took note of the work we were doing, and saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity appear. We were just visitors on a “high school courses abroad” program; Seraphin bravely asked us to be a little bit more than that, so that he could be something more for his community.
For Seraphin, and many like him, the only chance to attend college is to find a patron willing to fund their education through sponsorship. Acting on Seraphin’s behalf, the headmistress (principal) of Kirua Public School presented us with a hand-written letter from her most favoured alumni.
This letter details Serpahin’s dream to continue his education, and eventually become a doctor and help his local village. Seraphin’s parents passed away at a young age, and his grandmother can no longer financially support his education.
The MEI “Expedition to Tanzania” teachers, have already arranged the necessary start-up costs to get Seraphin enrolled in his first semester, and supported with basics such as; bedding, school materials, and transport to BESHA Health Training Institute. MEI Academy has agreed to match that contribution bringing us to a solid 1K. Now the Expedition to Tanzania 2019 class is teaming up again to raise the remainder.
Please help us raise enough funds to sponsor Seraphin’s university tuition. If you think about how often many of us will buy a coffee, or a mid-day snack without a second thought, perhaps we can now choose to do something different with our efforts. With ANY donation, big or small, you will be helping to change the life of our dear friend Seraphin, who in turn, hopes to help the people from his small village of Kirua Vunjo, Kilimanjaro.
This is the first step toward what we hope will soon become, an annual sponsorship program, so if this takes off, we can continue to change the lives of local Tanzanians every year. With your contribution, you will be helping us start this life-changing program.
Sincerely,
MEI Academy and the Expedition to Tanzania 2019 team:
Amanda Tabone, Kevin St. Denis, Josh Baker, Alexander Main, Alexis Van Esch, Allison Secko, Ashleigh St Croix, Carly Fyke, Evan Patterson, Jesse Dalby, Julia Turliuk, Kaia Ybema, Kaileigh-Anne Grnak, Kaiya Robertson, Lauren Motherwell, Lia Sardella, Lily McClelland, Lindsay Nelson, Locklyn Willson, Lucy Boates, Owen Cleveland, Russell Van Raalte, Saige Stretch, Sadie Dumba, Sophie Lake.
-----
We have done our due diligence in confirming the authenticity of Seraphin’s story through our intermediary and local connections on the ground in Tanzania. We have had a long and trusted relationship with our 3rd-party companies in Moshi: Milestones Ltd. and the Second Chance Education Centre.
If you have any questions about the exact breakdown of costs (tuition, accommodation, food, uniforms, school materials etc.) Please contact [email redacted] and we will send over a detailed breakdown.
Fundraising team: MEI Academy's Expedition to Tanzania 20193
Kevin St Denis
Team member
Joshua Baker
Team member