Cardinal Visit's Edinburgh's Young Fundraising Stars

Youngsters at the Edinburgh high school welcomed Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Alice Ligunya - Project Manager at the SCIAF office in Juba, Southern Sudan, and SCIAF Schools Officer John Sharp. Their visit took place on Friday 17th October, which was the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

St Augustine's has supported SCIAF for many years and staff and pupils have raised a staggering £55,662.44 for the charity since 1993.

Teacher, Jim Quinn said:

“We have always raised money for charity but a few years ago we decided to make SCIAF our main focus because they help some of the poorest people in the world make a better life for themselves. The help they give, whether it’s agricultural tools, seeds, and training, or trauma counselling after major disasters, really makes a difference.

“Our school has an international flavour as many of our pupils originally come from Africa and Eastern Europe so the idea of Global Citizenship which SCIAF promotes fits in very nicely with that.

“We hold fundraising activities throughout the year but our biggest effort comes during Lent when each form class is given a target amount of money to raise. The young people come up with some fantastic fundraising ideas. Some hold ‘Beat the Goalie’ competitions and bake cakes for sale in their lunch break. Others put together ‘Spot the Teacher From Their Baby Photo’ competitions or 'Guess the Number of Sweeties in the Jar'.

"We also spend time talking about some of the specific projects SCIAF is involved in - from providing support and skills training for young people with disabilities to campaigning for action against climate change which is having a disproportional impact on some of the world’s poorest people - so that the pupils are brought up to date with where their money is going.”

Cardinal O’Brien held a question and answer session with pupils in the student’s representative council before saying mass. Alice and John then talked to the young people about SCIAF’s work in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

SCIAF Schools Officer, John Sharp said:

“Reaching out to schools is one of the best ways for SCIAF to get young people involved in global issues and teach them that they have the power to make a positive difference. Creating that global awareness is very important. It helps young people to better understand the beliefs and cultures of other people and to develop an understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it.

”The amazing contribution which St Augustine’s has made will enable SCIAF to fund life changing projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, helping the world’s poorest people to work their way out of poverty, injustice and inequality.”