Belize Trip

Photo Karen Graham

The dinner and auction at St. John’s Ida Anglican Church raised $3700 for Andy Harjula’s annual Belize mission trip.

About 50 people enjoyed a spaghetti dinner prepared by the St. John’s Anglican Church women on Saturday.  The event was part of the fundraising activities by a group of Anglican Church members led by Andy Harjula who have visited the country each February for the last five years.  Dinner was followed by a live auction and a silent auction of events including a sleigh ride, a tractor ride, a cottage rental, and original artwork.  The evening’s festivities raised $3700 for the February trip.

Maureen Harjula will join husband Andy in her first trip to Belize made possible because she is now retired.  A retired school counsellor, she will work with the principals and teachers with the school children. Two schools have already stepped up to the plate to seek her expertise.  Andy will distribute more than 100 fruit trees, such as avocado, limes, sour-sop, apples and mangoes. Nobody wants oranges or bananas because these trees grow everywhere, like dandelions in Cavan. Another project is to bring rice and beans to six schools. This type of help will free-up a school’s meager budgets which can then be directed elsewhere.

The only cash assistance given to schools and individuals is earmarked in the form of school scholarships. This year’s donations will help approximately 50 students to pay their school fees. If students fail to pay their school fees, they are not allowed to graduate with a diploma.

Accompanying Andy and Maureen on the plane are 200 pounds of soccer equipment, school supplies, knitted caps and 250 knitted dolls. KG

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