Scotch College

Fundraising for Kapumfi

The terrible impact of poverty on the lives of millions of children in Africa has impacted on all students and members of the Scotch community. Every child, no matter where he or she lives, deserves the chance to receive a proper education, which can provide a vital means to try to reverse the cycle of poverty. The Kapumfi project gives everyone at Scotch an opportunity to play a part in tackling this enormous challenge – Dr F. G. Donaldson

Since launching the Kapumfi Project on Monday, 1 August, the Scotch community has ‘rallied to the call’ and raised a staggering $120,000.

Tuesday, 6 September was Kapumfi Project Student Collection Day. All current students, from both Junior and Senior Schools, were invited to make a personal contribution toward the project. Signs were posted around the school with the challenge, ‘Our parents and teachers have kicked in … now it’s time to do our bit to help Make Poverty History’. At 10.45 am the Military Band signalled for the entire school to halt. Representatives from each class couriered the donations to a large straw basket at the base of the flagpoles where the Zambian and Australian flags flew side by side. The boys enthusiastically embraced the challenge and together raised $9058.

The national flags of both Zambia and Australia again flew together at Scotch College on Family Day. A number of Year 7 students patrolled the school grounds seeking donations and raising awareness of the project. Julian Collins (Science teacher) drew caricatures for those wishing to donate $30 or more and 7B coordinated a lolly jar competition. Over $2000 was raised.

A Year 7 interclass football match was yet another innovative student initiative aimed at making Kapumfi Community School a reality. The Literature Festival, student barbecues and Valedictory Dinner auctions contributed further funds. The class of 2005 has also pledged $14,000.

A Vision Leadership Committee consisting of two students from each of Years 10, 11 and 12 has been established and already three of these students have attended the World Vision Global Leadership conference. Their main role is to create ways of encouraging an outwardly focused school cohort. One such activity was the World Vision 40-hour Famine, during which the Senior School boys raised $13,361 to help relieve poverty in Tanzania and Mozambique.

The Kapumfi Project has significantly impacted upon the whole Scotch community. The students, in particular, have been provided with a practical opportunity to express their desire to make a real difference in today’s world. While the impact here is significant, the transformation in Kapumfi is even greater.

On Monday 1 August, Rev. Tim Costello (World Vision Australia) launched the Kapumfi Project to all Scotch students.

Simultaneously, Gilbert Kamanga (World Vision Zambia) and Emanuel Chansa (Kapumfi Community School head teacher) announced the project to the Kapumfi community. They were overwhelmed by our generosity and even by the prospect of learning under a roof! The children are in awe of the fact that our students are helping to raise the money – not just their parents.

Scotch has released the first instalment of $53,000 to the World Vision Zambia office and already 85,000 mud bricks have been moulded. A block of classrooms and teachers’ residences, fully furnished and equipped with teaching materials, will be constructed over the coming months.

Initially, at least three qualified teachers and four community teachers will be employed at Kapumfi Community School.

Enrolment will be in excess of 400 students ranging from grade 1 to grade 7. It is anticipated that the entire project, including additional classrooms and teachers’ quarters, could be completed during 2006 if the current pace of rapid progress continues.

While all those who have contributed to the project are to be both thanked and congratulated, there is still much to be done to bring the project through this embryonic phase and into completion.

For more information about the project, please visit the Kapumfi link on the Scotch College website (www.scotch.vic.edu.au).

Donation forms can be obtained from the website or by contacting accounts.

‘This is an opportunity for a whole school community, not just the students, to be involved as global citizens. It’s also a chance to give young people in a poor country the education that we often take for granted.’ – Rev. Tim Costello.

Mark Williams