Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent; when we are asked to reflect on and grow in our faith. Linked closely with our College values is the core Gospel work of Caritas and Project Compassion. Each year students support this great work through the raising of funds. If you haven’t visited Caritas Australia’s website, it is well worth having a look at: Caritas Australia | Australian Charity | A Not-for-Profit Organisation

Being a part of the Lenten spirit is an important part of a Christian’s faith journey. When we can see ourselves as a part of the global community. We are asked to aspire to the Gospel values through our everyday actions.

In January I attended the YES Arusha AGM. In Lachlan Miller’s Director’s Report he published the graph below. It shows the trends in Tanzanian education. These statistics, for all intents and purposes, would be similar in the world’s developing nations.

An interesting point to make here is the work of the Millenium Development Goals in promoting universal primary education. Post primary school data above identifies a real decline in the percentages for rates of education.

TAKE A LOOK AT YES Arusha’s DATA.

- Completed primary school: 100%

- Completed O-level: 92%

- Completed A-level: 90%

- Tertiary: 70% (noting that most students still went on to do some form of post-secondary learning)

Our Lady of the Southern Cross is trying to raise annually $6,500 to provide a scholarship to give a child an opportunity to a life of fulfilment and dignity. Please click on the QR Code and give to an organisation that is making a difference.