The Black Student Union began fundraising for a trip to Tanzania to build a school for impoverished and orphaned children.
As the brainchild of Santa Rosa Junior College students Debra McCracken and Mark Guitom, the journey will cost $20,000 and will fund travel fees for four SRJC students. The funds also buy supplies needed to build a permanent residence for the school run by director Selestine Mshomba, which serves over 125 students ages 6 to 12.
In addition, the BSU is also involved with the East Oakland Charter School and is looking to set up a sister school affiliation with the Tanzanian children.
“The plan is to set up a pen pal relationship between the two schools,” Guiton said. “If our vision comes true, then the ultimate goal would be to set up exchange opportunities so that they can learn from each other and broaden their view of the world.”
Multiple businesses and investors have proposed their own expansions to add to the school. “The organization Orphans to Ambassadors have talked about building another building to the school once ours has been completed,” said McCracken.
Reaching the $20,000 goal and commencing construction leaves the door open for more charitable organizations and people to add their support.
The BSU strives to create a positive energy with their mission to bring a stable environment to Tanzanian children.
Damion Square, one of the four club members bound for Tanzania, made the mission clear. “Our main goal is to establish a positive cultural awareness of racial, ethnic and multiethnic identities and to spread well being through humanitarian acts,” Square said.
The club is well on its way to funding its mission, but collections can’t slow now. They will be hosting a bake sale at the entrance to the Bertolini Student Center April 8-9.
The BSU heard the word of their sponsors and aim to make the bake sale as delicious, nutritious and cheap as possible. Student submitted recipes and ingredients become the centerpiece in their upcoming bake sales April 22 – 23 and May 1 and 6.