Sunday’s golf tournament at Brae Burn attracted 18 teams of four and raised more than $8,000.
The fundraiser golf tourney started several years ago when the Rev. Stephen Karani of Holy Family Catholic Community suggested a local fundraiser to build a secondary school in his home community of Gitare, Kenya.
Sally Leeson explained that after four years, the tournament has helped raise funds for the building of the secondary school and additions to accommodate upcoming classes.
She explained that elementary school is provided to all Kenyan students, but many areas lack secondary schools. Though boarding schools are common in Kenya, many families cannot afford tuition and boarding costs or need their help on the family farm.
The first students attended the school in Gitare beginning in 2011 and will graduate in 2014. That initial class was small — just 11 students — but the class behind them has 40 students. As many as 50 more students are expected to enroll next year.
Instruction comes from faculty provided by the Catholic diocese in Kenya.
Leeson said the tournament over the weekend drew even inexperienced golfers. She noted that the nine-hole tournament is billed as a family event, so it attracts a broader range of players.
“Very few people from here are going to travel to Gitare,” Leeson said. However, players, volunteers and event sponsors of the event make a financial contribution to the educational opportunities in one village in Kenya.
Leeson expressed gratitude to everyone involved in last weekend’s fundraiser.
“There are a lot of people who really come through,” she said.
Sunday’s golf tournament at Brae Burn attracted 18 teams of four and raised more than $8,000.
The fundraiser golf tourney started several years ago when the Rev. Stephen Karani of Holy Family Catholic Community suggested a local fundraiser to build a secondary school in his home community of Gitare, Kenya.
Sally Leeson explained that after four years, the tournament has helped raise funds for the building of the secondary school and additions to accommodate upcoming classes.
She explained that elementary school is provided to all Kenyan students, but many areas lack secondary schools. Though boarding schools are common in Kenya, many families cannot afford tuition and boarding costs or need their help on the family farm.
The first students attended the school in Gitare beginning in 2011 and will graduate in 2014. That initial class was small — just 11 students — but the class behind them has 40 students. As many as 50 more students are expected to enroll next year.
Instruction comes from faculty provided by the Catholic diocese in Kenya.
Leeson said the tournament over the weekend drew even inexperienced golfers. She noted that the nine-hole tournament is billed as a family event, so it attracts a broader range of players.
“Very few people from here are going to travel to Gitare,” Leeson said. However, players, volunteers and event sponsors of the event make a financial contribution to the educational opportunities in one village in Kenya.
Leeson expressed gratitude to everyone involved in last weekend’s fundraiser.
“There are a lot of people who really come through,” she said.
