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Seeing makes believers of orphans’ sponsors
Across 4,000 nautical miles, from Jamaica to the United Kingdom, came a sincere message of gratitude and encouragement:
“J’espère que votre organisation continuera à aider les enfants qui n’ont pas de parents pour les aider.”
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Rennie Miller is ready to begin classes at Shortwood Teacher Training College in Kingston, Jamaica, where he will prepare for a career in education. Miller was a student at Summerfield Boys Home in Chapleton, Clarendon, Jamaica, when he met a representative from the Brixton-South London Kiwanis club. The result of that meeting was a JMD1.5 million Kiwanis Brixton Education Fund scholarship. |
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Kiwanis scholarship beneficiaries from Belle Primary School pose before a mural of Crimean War nursing pioneer Mary Seacole near their school in Soweto, South Africa. |
Though English-speaking Rennie Miller sent the message to English-speaking Brixton-South London Kiwanians, it was apropos to communicate in French. The Kiwanis club is paying for Miller’s education, including French lessons, and he wanted to demonstrate his progress.
Miller is one example of the Brixton-South London Kiwanians’ commitment to helping orphans. In addition to financing Miller’s college education, the club pays tuition, fees, and meal costs for students at the Belle Primary School in Soweto, South Africa, who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Before initiating a relationship with an orphan or orphanage, however, the club dispatches representatives to personally investigate the need and merits of the project.
“The needs of Rennie Miller were brought to us when past president Clinton Atkins visited the Kiwanis Club of May Pen, Jamaica,” says Brixton-South London Kiwanian Rudi Page, who is the director of public relations for the Brixton-South London club. “He was chosen because he was an orphan who has done well and is willing to study at Shortwood Teacher Training College to become a teacher—and to stay and teach in Jamaica.”
During a business trip to Johannesburg, Rudi heard stories about talented youngsters “whose homes and families have been devastated by HIV/AIDS but were being supported by their school, which had very limited funds.”
Recognizing the school’s commitment to the children, the Kiwanians agreed to lend financial assistance for the students’ education fees, books, and welfare support.
Miller represents a three-year commitment; the Belle Primary School, seven years.
“I hope,” translates Miller’s French letter of acknowledgement, “your organization continues to help children who don’t have parents to help them.” |
