I've been back in Canada for about a month, visiting with friends, family and potential donors to the Science Lab project at Sud. While the fundraising this time around has been very difficult, the project is set to commence next week when I arrive in Nairobi! Fingers are crossed that more funds will come in over the next month or so, so that we can ensure the project is completed with no shortcuts. I will certainly be blogging and adding photos in about a week.... I am going to try to video-document the Lab throughout the process, but I'll need to recruit a good camera man/woman from Sud first!
On another note, Lino Madut, one of last years' Form 4 boys has returned to Sudan this month! I've spoken with him several times since he arrived, and as I type this, he is taking a bus on a 2 day journey to his home village from the capital, Juba. He will be reunited with his twin sister, whom he was separated from in 1993 when they were both captured and taken as slaves. He intends to become a teacher, and told me that he will even teach for free if it means he can share his knowledge with impoverished children "who don't know anything". I'm very proud of him for graduating and using the opportunity he was given to give back to others. He wouldn't have been able to do it without those who donated last year; you should be proud too! Please read below for an excerpt from the letter he sent to Canada with me:
To my dear great sponsors,
I am here by writing this appreciative letter to you that it is because of you that I have finished my high school through your support... I am so grateful for that support, you people really make us proud of you. Moreover, I do hope that you will do more for our next [Form 4] class but I have no word to say because I am very happy indeed for your support. We also thank Kellee for the effort she made to coordinate you to us. I do see her like my lovely twin sister who have not seen me for the last 15 years now but I still love her. One day I will see her...
Yours Faithfully,
Lino Madut Angok
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I'd like to end my post today by acknowledging a special group of people who have, over the last 12 months, been overwhelmingly supportive in a number of ways to my efforts & projects at Sud Academy. Peter, Tulin and Lisa Sallabank, of Salon Entrenous in London, have been involved in raising & contributing over $6, 000 towards the Form 4 Boys, text books, the rain water catchment system and recently, the science lab & Form 4 classroom. I'm honoured that my cause has inspired their family to follow my journey and take their own creative initiatives to help raise money for Sud. A very big, thank you!
Peter & Tulin, Style in the City- Sud Academy Fundraiser
October 2009
Lisa & I @ Salon Entrenous, January 2010
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