Community
5 December, 2024
Students support international cause
A FAMILY connection has inspired a student-led fundraiser which raised money to purchase much-needed paediatric equipment for children in one of Timor-Leste’s most impoverished regions.
The fundraiser was a concept brought to St Colman’s Primary School in Mortlake through Ann-Maree Convery, who has been volunteering in Timor-Leste since 2011 and is the grandmother of students Mason, Archie and Knox Dale.
After being inspired by the work his grandmother was doing to support those less fortunate, Mason, a member of St Colman’s Primary School’s Student Representative Council, brought the idea of a fundraiser before the school.
As Western District Newspapers reported in September, the Student Representative Council created a carnival-style day led by the Grade 5-6 students to raise funds for the cause – which went on to raise just shy of $400.
This week, when Mrs Convery visited the school, the students had the opportunity to see the equipment their fundraising efforts had purchased before it is delivered to Ainaro Hospital in Timor-Leste later this month.
Mrs Convery said it was humbling to see the fundraiser far exceed the original goal of raising around $100 for paediatric blood pressure cuffs.
“The two cuffs were $107 in total so I thought it would be amazing if they could raise that,” she said.
“When Mason told me the students had raised almost $400, I couldn’t believe it.
“I am immensely thankful for what they have done.”
The funds raised not only led to the purchase of the paediatric blood pressure cuffs, but also allowed for the purchase of two stethoscopes – all of which is equipment desperately needed at Ainaro Hospital.
The stethoscopes feature engravings which state “Gifted to Ainaro Hospital” and “St Colman’s PS, Mortlake,” with the engraving donated by Geelong Allsport Trophies.
Mrs Convery had volunteered at Ainaro Hospital on two occasions, most recently in July and August of this year, and noticed conditions had continued to deteriorate despite the best efforts of staff.
“My main involvement in the hospital was 2011 but when I visited again this time I noticed they didn’t have any more resources,” she said.
“They had less.”
According to World Bank, the district of Ainaro has around 60,000 residents with 79.7 per cent poverty incidence – the second highest in the nation – while less than half the population has access to drinking water, only 17 per cent have access to basic sanitation and just 16 per cent having access to electricity from the national grid.
St Colman’s Primary School principal Janet Cain said the opportunity to raise funds was an eye-opening experience for the students.
She congratulated the students during Mrs Convery’s visit on their creativity in finding a way to help others while organising a fun event for the school.
“While you had a fun day, the efforts managed to raise money for much needed resources,” Mrs Cain said.
“We take it for granted that when we go to hospitals in Australia, the doctors there will all have a stethoscope.
“That’s not the case over there – so the doctors were desperate for one.
“We’ve managed to provide it.”