In 2002 St Jude’s was opened with only a handful of students and one teacher. Today there are almost 1200 children, 130 teachers and 200 staff. A second school was also opened in 2008 and over 90% of the children at the school receive a totally free education through international sponsorship.  Gemma’s charity began with small $5 monthly donations from friends and family and it just goes to show that international charity can start at home. St Jude’s is now helping a large number of children to “Fight poverty through education”.

Another Australian woman who is truly inspirational is Irene Gleeson. Nearly 20 years ago Irene sold her house in Australia to finance her charity work in Uganda. Irene has just been made an Officer of the Order of Australia for “service to international relations, particularly through sustained aid for children affected by war and HIV-AIDS in northern Uganda”.  Her charitable projects through Childcare Kitgum Servants are extensive and include primary schools & training centres, medical & counselling services and cultural & community projects.

The staff at Beach & Bay are always excited to hear of the wonderful work that Australian people are doing in African countries, particularly those involving children. Last year we supported building a classroom in Ghana and we also sponsor a girl in Ghana through World vision.

If you would like to know more information about the above Aussie women and their charities please see the following websites.

St Judes – http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/

Childcare Kitgum Servants – http://www.cks.org.au/

Initially realising that there were no toilet facilities at the school (in fact there was no running water supply nearby), I wanted to build some drop toilets for the students. However, when I approached the principal she asked for help building a classroom (as two grades were cramped into one room).

I sent a few emails back home and was overjoyed when I received positive feedback and pledges of support.

Beach & Bay Realty generously donated a large sum of money (usually allocated for our annual Sutherland Shire Christmas card competition) and I also received some donations from Beach & Bay Realty clients which was absolutely fantastic!

Along with this another volunteer friend from the Sutherland Shire received donations from the company Elgas Australia where her father worked.

The whole process was a learning experience and overcoming the language barriers and coordinating the workers was certainly a challenge!

Construction work in Ghana isn’t too concerned with Occupational Health & Safety and it was quite confronting watching scaffolding made from off cut wood and bamboo go up, having carpenters without shoes and transporting huge cement blocks on their head!

The classroom that was built was the first in the school to be reinforced with iron pillars, have windows and double doors and to be fully secured with locks.

Big thanks to all who showed interest. The teachers and students were so excited during the building process and are very grateful that people on the other side of the world cared about their little school.

My relationship with Ghana and this particular primary school has not ended since arriving back to Sydney and I hope to continue to support them in the future.

If you are interested in getting involved please do not hesitate to send an email to info@beachandbay.com.au.

Also if you would like further information about Ghana – please view this great blog. http://gisforghana.blogspot.com/

“Started teaching this week 100 students in total and no toilets. So far I have avoided the “Public toilet” aka the bush behind the school. I am thinking about putting some of our money together & building a simple enclosed toilet.

The teachers at my school are frustratingly unenthusiastic. They arrive late, sit outside the rooms & eat & chat with other teachers, set bland tasks & cane the children if they get anything wrong. I find this hard to watch especially when they strike them on the neck & head.

I am share- teaching P5, but as the P4 teacher has not turned up to school this week, am also setting lessons for the 30 kids in that class.”

Closer to home the Auction clearance rate last week was 42% in our local area, which was not bad, considering the meltdown of the financial markets during the week. The overall Sydney clearance rate for the same week was 53%.