Catholic schools are enriching the lives of Kenyan students with Global School Partners (GSP), providing life changing resources, a broader understanding of cultural differences and crucial long term assistance.

After extensive fundraising through school events, Holy Trinity Primary School in Curtin provided their partner school, Evaland Hekima Academy, with drinkable water this month through the installation of water tanks.

Holy Trinity Principal, Philippa Brearley was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Kenya with the school’s Religious Education Coordinator, Kristy Everding, in July to work with over 16 schools and an orphanage supported by individual donors.

“It was an amazing experience to go to three of our schools that I had helped partner with, including Evaland, and to meet students and their families that are being sponsored by students and families here,” said Philippa.

“The greatest experience was seeing the face of Jesus in all the children we visited and how happy they were, regardless of their conditions.”

This term, St Michael’s Kaleen and Holy Spirit Primary School Nicholls joined nine Catholic schools in the program allowing students to form close bonds with their global partners and provide much needed support for poverty stricken Kenyan schools.

St Michael’s Primary School Principal, Patrick Ellis said that St Michael’s aims to find practical ways to support Jariah Education Centre through an ongoing positive relationship between schools.

“We envision sharing of ideas and nurturing student understanding of the wide differences in levels of affluence in different communities, and how they can reach out to support others in our world,” he said.

Collectively, Good Shepherd Primary School Amaroo and St Jude’s Holder have funded 11 brick classrooms for their partner schools, and St Joseph’s Primary School O’Connor effectively built a library for Riamabana, funding over 100 books.

Global School Partners CEO, Simon Carroll said that the program has been extremely beneficial for both Australian and Kenyan students who quickly learn that children all over the world deserve a sound learning environment.

“Australian students learn of the culture, environment and way of life of children in Kenya and realise that while life is very different in many ways, the children in Africa are just like them,” he said.

Philippa hopes that Holy Trinity’s commitment to support the school’s current needs will eventually enable Evaland to be self-sustainable, reach their full potential and ultimately escape poverty regardless of circumstance.