Scottish Catholic Observer

Youngsters at a Catholic primary school in Glasgow have raised £300 to help children in Sudan receive a Christian education.

Lorraine McMahon, head of operations for Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Scotland, was presented with a cheque for £300 for Sudan’s Save the Saveable schools’ programme by pupils of St Catherine’s Primary School in Barmulloch, a district in the north of Glasgow.

Save the Saveable

The Save the Saveable programme provides Church-run education for up to 20,000 children—the government of the Islamist north does not allow Christianity to be taught in state schools.

The Archdiocese of Khartoum, the capital of North Sudan, set up Save the Saveable as millions fled the south of the country during the country’s 21-year civil war which officially ended in 2005.

Students from St Catherine’s made the presentation during their Primary 7 graduation on Tuesday June 21.

Describing her visit to St Catherine’s, Ms McMahon said that the pupils and teachers of the school ‘were very enthusiastic about helping to send children in Sudan to school.’

“They were shocked after learning about the plight of children their own age living in one of the poorest countries in the world,” Ms McMahon said. “The day started with a beautiful Mass in St Catherine Laboure Church followed by an award and graduation ceremony in the school.”

Children and teachers from St Catherine’s decided to raise funds for the Save the Saveable project after Ms McMahon gave a presentation at the school in February.

Charitable beneficiaries

As well as fundraising for Save the Saveable project in Sudan, the children—aged five to 12—also supported the work of Marie Curie and the Sisters of the Poor.

Pupils raised the money through sponsored events during Lent including cake sales and other fund-raising activities.

“St Catherine’s is very strong in teaching the children Christian values,” Ms McMahon said. “The pupils have done something very positive with the knowledge they have gained, raising enough money to help send 12 children to school for one year.”