Third, I regret to report of the passing of:
Alison Rudd, one of our members, passed way earlier this year. For many years she was the Babygrow link at the cathedral in Bulawayo. When she left Zimbabwe she continued to fund raise for other Zimbabwe projects as well as for FSJMS and
Margaret Bradley, one of our supporters, passed away in October. Donations at her funeral were for St James and we received over £1,300. Margaret and her husband Paul were well known to the ‘ex-pats’ who taught at the school in the mid 80s. They supported the school and always offered their home (and a bed!) to ex-pats on a weekend and during the holidays. At that time Paul worked for Dunlop and was great at sourcing tyres for the Mission vehicles!
Fourth, we continue to build upon our relationship with ‘LINK’. This is the Kingston Diocese here in the UK which has a link with the Diocese of Matabeleland. Through working closer with this LINK committee we have been able to work together to share knowledge, information and networks. You may remember that this relationship resulted in a joint venture successfully to export vehicles to our respective schools. Also, last summer, LINK members visited Zimbabwe and as part of a their tour around Matabeland, The Bishop of Matabeland, Bishop Cleophas, built into their itinerary a visit to St James.
Fifth, we were delighted to find that USPG* had sponsored Nola Dixon to teach for six months at St James, at the Primary School. As Nola had recently returned from Zimbabwe we were delighted that she could attend our 20th AGM to share her experiences, insights and her recent photographs of St James.
Visits to the school and having Nola Dixon present at the AGM, really motivates us to know that through our funds we are making a real impact and it makes all the difference to receive information first hand.
And finally, thank you, to you our members, for enabling St James Mission and School to thrive under such extreme circumstances.
Paula Wilcock - March 2011
* United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
