Charitable Giving at Bishop Chavasse

At Bishop Chavasse we believe that it is important to recognise those in need in our local community and further afield, to demonstrate the value of generosity.

Raising money for charities is often a whole school initiative. Our House Groups also run charity events, such as cake sales. Charities we support include:

• British Legion Poppy Appeal
• Children In Need
• Comic Relief (Red Nose Day)
• Matongoro School, Tanzania
• NHS Charities Together
• Save the Children

Our sponsored school in Tanzania - Matongoro School

Matongoro is a primary school that sits in the heart of the Kongwa District in the Dodoma Regions in Central Tanzania. Through our St Stephen’s church link with the Diocese of Mpwapwa, Bishop Chavasse has been linked to the school for many years. Year on year we have shared snippets of daily life at school, heard songs from the children there and sent gifts alongside fundraising efforts to buy much needed resources for the school. You can read more in their summer newsletter.

Last academic year, alongside three other members of my team, I travelled to visit the school. The trip was profoundly moving and insightful; we found ourselves immersed in a culture of deep Christian compassion, strength, selflessness and hope. We were struck by the breath-taking beauty of the landscape, and above all, by the warmth and generosity of the people who welcomed us so openly. But what struck us most was the commitment. The dedication of the teachers, doing everything they possibly could for their pupils. And the determination of the children: to learn, to succeed, to build a future. A vision and values so seamlessly aligned with ours. In one school, their motto is: “Education is more valuable than wealth.” And you could feel that. It wasn’t just words, it was lived out every day. And when you stop and reflect on that, it feels profoundly true.

   

Our community had been exceptionally generous and fundraising efforts have enabled transformation of a whole classroom block, enabled the school to reconnect to a running water supply and start to build a school kitchen to enable pupils to receive a hot meal at lunchtime. This year, our fundraising efforts will continue as another classroom block is in urgent need of repair. We are working closely with the Diocese and their governing body to identify need and see how we can help. We are planning an evening to showcase some highlights of our trip and have a calendar of events in the diary to raise money – the first of which will be a cake sale on Friday 16^th October. We are looking forward to the journey ahead and excited to have a community here who are so supportive.