The Limapela Foundation - News

Monthly Progress Report - 10 October 2009

2009-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Limapela Cedric’s Basic School

Starting the school day at 7:30 am makes good sense in Africa, especially at this time of year when by midday the heat saps both energy and motivation. Although there was heavy rain a week ago, the rains are not usually expected until late October. They will be very welcome when they do come!

Alison and I are visiting the school regularly now to prepare for the transition to new ownership. This will take place officially on 1 January 2010. In the meantime we are observing, consulting and listening. Among the many needs for improvement, four stand out: more books, running water, electricity and higher salaries for the teachers. But in spite of the constraints under which they work, the headmaster and staff are running a fine and happy school of which the community can feel justifiably proud.

Accommodation

Terry Webster is hard at work with the building contractors who are building the two guest houses for us to live in. They are small, but should be adequate until larger dwellings can be put up. These are being built on a bushy 50 hectare block of land that we are buying for the Limapela Farm, next to the Baluba community and about 30 km from Cedric’s School. In the meantime we are grateful to John and Kendra Enright for providing temporary accommodation for all four of us at Kafakumba.

Meeting Financial Needs

Do continue to support the work of the Foundation. Funding is needed for unexpected expenditure in the building programme and to cover the cost of sending the container from New Zealand. Donations can be sent to our NZ postal address. Cheques can be in any major currency, payable to The Limapela Foundation. British and American donors who would like a tax receipt can view detailed donation instructions.

— Matthew Raymond, Chairman

Monthly Progress Report - 2 September 2009

2009-09-02T00:00:00Z

Travel

Matthew and Alison left Auckland on the 21 August and are now spending time with family in Dallas. They will be travelling on to Zambia via the UK, arriving on 15 September.

Terry and Carolyn arrived in Zambia on the 24th August after a very long flight. They spent 3 nights resting in Lusaka, and then travelled to the Copperbelt on the 27 August. They have now recovered from jet-lag and are settling into temporary accommodation.

Please remember the Raymonds and Websters in your prayers as they settle into responsibilities in Zambia, and pray too for their extended family members in New Zealand and other parts of the world.

Container

A 40-foot container has been packed with a lot of items including personal belongings, office equipment, desks, shelves, classroom furniture, milking plant and tools. The container has been sealed and will be leaving Auckland shortly. It is expected to take approximately nine weeks to arrive in Zambia. Please pray that it will arrive without delay and without any damage.

Housing

The concrete slabs for both one-bedroom project staff houses have been completed, and the erection of the walls has commenced. It is expected that the houses will be completed by the middle of September. Terry will be responsible for the provision of the power, water and sewage connections to the houses. We will move in to these houses after the container arrives.

Meeting Financial Needs

Two fundraising dinners for the Cedric Project were held in Auckland recently. The first was organised by Howick Presbyterian Church, and NZ$1,500 was raised. The second was organised by The Foundation with singer Tina Cross as our guest artist, and just over NZ$2,500 was raised. We are grateful to all those who contributed so generously to ensure the success of these events.

Fundraising for the project must continue of course until self-sufficiency is reached. Detailed information about how to donate can be found at www.limapela.org/donate/. Our application to the NZ Inland Revenue Department for donee status is still being processed, so donations made in New Zealand are still not tax deductible.

— Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster

Monthly Progress Report - 5 August 2009

2009-08-05T00:00:00Z

Cedric’s School Project to Start

We are delighted to report that the Cedric’s School Project will officially commence next month. We are all grateful to all our supporters for helping us to reach the target of NZ$440,000 for the first year. The Websters expect to arrive in Zambia on 24 August, and the Raymonds on 15 September. The purchase legalities will need to be completed, and although we already have many plans for the school, we expect to meet with the staff and the PTA to get their thoughts. A water system and toilet blocks will be high on the agenda, with assistance from the Kitwe Rotary Club. We value your prayers as we face a heavy workload during what will be the hottest time of year in Central Africa.

Accommodation Needs

Upon arrival in Zambia we expect to stay temporarily in guest houses provided by John and Kendra Enright at Kafakumba. Construction of the one-bedroom guest houses that we have planned for the Limapela Farm is due to begin later this month, so should be under way by the time we arrive in Zambia. Power and water will need to be connected. This is not as straightforward in rural Zambia as it might be in New Zealand, but when all is finished we expect to live in these guest houses until funding allows us to build larger homes.

Orphans at Cedric’s School

You might remember reading in June that most of the orphans enrolled in January were withdrawn because their care-givers could not afford the fees that were introduced that term. We are pleased to say that every attempt is now being made to get these children back into school. We are grateful to those of you who are now committed to fee sponsorship. This scheme will be implemented as soon as Limapela takes charge of the school.

A Tribute to Cedric Whittemore

British settler farmer Cedric Whittemore started the school in 1979 when a teacher came to him looking for work. It had not been Cedric’s plan to start a school, but he realised that the children of his employees needed an education, and so did the many children of other employees in the farming block. Once things began, Cedric’s enthusiasm grew, and he used to come and sit at the back of a classroom from time to time to watch the children learn. Until this year, he did not charge fees, so all running expenses were funded from his own pocket. Today 260 children are enrolled in grades 1–7 and the school enjoys a very good reputation for its standards of teaching and achievement. Where would these children be today without Cedric Whittemore’s generous heart and vision for his community?

— Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster

Monthly Progress Report - 1 July 2009

2009-07-01T00:00:00Z

Meeting Financial Needs

The Foundation has now been blessed with a total of NZ$419,100 in funds and pledges. This leaves an estimated shortfall of NZ$18,000 to get started in September and run for the first year. We are grateful to our many generous supporters. Thanks to Peter and Tracey Thorp, who raised NZ$3,750 by hosting a fundraising concert in their home on 12 June with virtuoso pianist Jason Bae. What an honour, and what a performance!

Fundraising for the Cedric Project for succeeding years must continue of course until self-sufficiency is reached. The project will begin on 1 September. We now have fee sponsors for 80 children at Cedric’s School, and many of these sponsors have already started quarterly payments. If you would like to be a fee sponsor, please let us know. The commitment is NZ$12 per month per child — the same price as three cups of coffee in most cafes! Sponsors will receive a photo and information about their sponsored child in September.

Preparations for Starting in Zambia

If you would like to send items that are on our shopping list, please get in touch with us so that they can be sent by container. Items can be new or used, but if the latter, they need to be in good condition. We will not be sending used computer hardware, as it is generally not worth the cost of transport.

If your organisation, club or church is in New Zealand, and would like to hear more about The Limapela Foundation before the Websters and the Raymonds leave the country, please contact us so that we can arrange a visit.

Supporting the Limapela Foundation

Donors may send cheques to our NZ postal address in any major currency, payable to The Limapela Foundation. Our application for donee status is still being processed, so donations made in New Zealand are still not tax deductible. British and American donors may send their gifts to the following agencies, who are processing donations on our behalf. When sending through other agencies, please record your name and address clearly, and indicate that your gift is intended for The Limapela Foundation. These donations will be tax deductible.

British Donors may send donations to this address:

Echoes of Service,
124 Wells Road,
Bath BA2 3AH
(cheques payable to Echoes of Service)

American Donors may send donations to this address:

Enright Flight Ministry
c/o Eileen Ledgerwood
1919 Jackson Lane
Port Orange,
FL 32128
(cheques payable to Enright Flight Ministry)

Monthly Progress Report - 4 June 2009

2009-06-04T00:00:00Z

Orphans at Cedric’s School

In May we learned that most of the 60 orphans enrolled in January had stopped attending when school fees were introduced in term 2 by the current owners. These fees are the equivalent of only NZ$10 per term, but that is clearly more than some families are able or prepared to pay. Our fee sponsorship scheme is well subscribed to so far, so we should be able to get some of these children back into school when we take over. If you would like to join this scheme please get in touch. The commitment, at only NZ$12 per child per month, will reduce the risk of these disadvantaged children losing their places through the non-payment of school fees.

The Limapela Farm

We have now signed an agreement to purchase 50 hectares of farmland from John and Kendra Enright about 30 km from Cedric’s School. The Limapela Farm will be developed on this land, to provide an income support base for the Limapela educational projects, reducing dependency on financial support from abroad.

The agreed price is attractive at US$1,500 per hectare (NZ$2,343 at today’s rate of exchange), or around NZ$117,187 for 50 hectares. The agreement requires a deposit of NZ$31,250, and the balance to be paid off over three years.

Starting in Zambia

Terry and Carolyn Webster are now preparing to leave New Zealand and plan to fly direct to Zambia at the end of July. Matthew and Alison Raymond expect to arrive in Zambia in September. Terry’s first job will be to supervise the building of two small guest houses at Limapela Farm for themselves and the Raymonds to live in until larger houses can be built.

Financial Needs

To get started, the Foundation estimates that it needs to raise a further NZ$97,000. This will help to cover the deposit on the farmland and the cost of building the guest houses for project staff. If you would like to contribute, please get in touch with us. The exchange rate is moving in our favour at the moment, and we are praying that this will continue!

Monthly Progress Report - 20 April 2009

2009-04-20T00:00:00Z

Cedric’s School

What a pleasure it has been this month to see the children of Cedric School once again and to meet with their headmaster Mr Mwanza, a dedicated man who understands the numerous needs of his students and staff. The Foundation will have to address these needs one at a time — running water, better toilets, more books, more classrooms and the installation of electricity, to name the most urgent. Mr Mwanza could enrol at least 100 more children if he had enough classrooms and teachers, and this is true of many schools all around Zambia.

The Rotary Club of Kitwe

We have received a very warm welcome from this club, and their interest in the Cedric Project has been most encouraging. With the help of other international partner clubs they are willing to apply for funding from The Rotary Foundation by way of a matching grant for a water project and new toilet blocks for Cedric’s School. Such assistance will greatly improve the standards of hygeine in the school — a need that we feel is urgent. The club have also suggested that we install a second water tank at the same time to make water available to the wider community.

Establishing Limapela in Zambia

We have now signed a formal agreement with the owners to purchase Cedric’s School and the 11 hectare block on which is is built. As soon as the legal requirements have been met, which is expected to take another 30 days, the transaction will take place and the school will be signed over to Limapela Enterprises Ltd, the private company that the Foundation has now set up as its legal entity in Zambia.

Buying farmland from Cedric Whittemore is not legally possible at the moment. But we have had an unexpected offer of 50 hectare subdivision of Rivendell Farm near Luanshya. John and Kendra Enright, who are close friends and keen supporters of the Foundation, are the owners of this farm. They are offering the land, on very attractive terms, to provide a base for Limapela Enterprises as well as a production unit to support our endeavours. While considering this option, our attention has been drawn to the needs of the huge impoverished Baluba community next to the farm. There is one community school in this community, and one government primary school. The government school has a roll of 1,200 children, but only six classrooms. Another school sits unfinished and unused in the middle of the community because the NGO responsible for building it ran out of funds ten years ago, and so far no organisation has been willing to complete it. Representatives from the community and the Luanshya City Council met with us last week to discuss our possible involvement. At this stage we can only register our interest, but it certainly would be a worthy challenge.

Plans have now been finalised for two small houses to be built for the Raymonds and the Websters to live in, and we are awaiting quotations from a building company in South Africa.

Monthly Progress Report - 27 February 2009

2009-02-27T00:00:00Z

Trustees’ Visit to Zambia

Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster will leave on 16 March for a six weeks visit to Zambia. During this time they aim to finalise the purchase agreement for Cedric School and the 8-hectare plot on which it is built. Other plans for the visit include:

setting up Limapela Community Development as a private limited company in Zambia.
applying for employment permits for the Raymonds and the Websters.
meeting with the school headmaster and the Parent Teacher Association to assess school and community needs.
drawing up a site plan for the school property.
designing on-site reticulation of water and electricity.
quantity surveying for building of accommodation for project staff.

Purchase of Vehicle

We were very pleased to hear that John Enright, one of our advisors in Zambia, has purchased on our behalf a one-owner Nissan Patrol in very good condition for US$9,600. This is an excellent price for such a vehicle in Zambia. The Raymonds and the Websters will own this vehicle, and its early purchase will allow Terry and Matthew to be independent transport-wise during their upcoming visit.

Purchase of Farmland

Although the Foundation has insufficient funds as yet, purchasing the farmland is still very much a part of the project proposal. In the meantime, leasing land may be possible so that agricultural projects can begin.

Fundraising

Funds raised or pledged by 22 February 2009:	NZ$296,300
Shortfall required to start by August 2009:	NZ$66,300

The Foundation is grateful to the many who have contributed so far. The New Zealand dollar is worth only US$0.50 today, but we feel we should not be deterred by this. Please contact us if you would like to contribute to the project. Your contribution could be a loan, a gift, or a contract to purchase shares in the project at NZ$500 per share. Deposits can be made directly into the Limapela Foundation account. Please contact us if you would like those details. Donations from the UK may be sent to Echoes of Service, 124 Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AH, and will be tax deductible in this case.

Monthly Progress Report - 22 January 2009

2009-01-22T00:00:00Z

Starting at Cedric School

It remains the aim of the Foundation to get started at Cedric School after Easter. Trustees Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster are to fly out to Zambia on 16 March for 6 weeks to finalise the purchase arrangements and other legalities. The volatile international currency market and the worldwide economic downturn have so far prevented us from reaching a formal agreement with the vendors, but it is clear that both we and they wish to see the Foundation take over the school.

Support from Long Bay College

Some of the staff at Long Bay College on Auckland’s North Shore have donated a large number of books and school resources that are surplus to their requirements. We can well imagine the excitement and gratitude of the Cedric staff and pupils when these eventually arrive in Zambia. We want to express our thanks to Long Bay College.

Fundraising

Despite the more diffficult economic times, we are encouraged to see the funds coming in steadily. Since fundraising began last April we have received NZ$280,500 in donations and pledges — NZ$94,600 for operational expenses and NZ$185,900 for capital expenses. It should be said that the NZ dollar, at US$0.52, is today as low as we have seen it in recent months. This adversely affects our fundraising targets, and we would need another NZ$66,400 at today’s rate of exchange to get started in Zambia, but an additional NZ$276,400 would be required to buy and establish 30 hectares of the farm. The long-term plan is to purchase the full 60 hectares of farmland that has been offered to the Foundation, so that self-sufficiency for the school can be achieved eventually.

Please contact us if you would like to contribute to the project. Your contribution could be a loan, a gift, or a contract to purchase shares in the project at NZ$500 per share. Deposits can be made directly into the Limapela Foundation account. Please contact us if you would like those details. Donations from the UK may be sent care of Echoes of Service, 124 Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AH.

Slide Show of Pupils at Cedric School

See a short slideshow of the boys and girls at Cedric.

Monthly Progress Report - 7 December 2008

2008-12-07T00:00:00Z

Starting at Cedric School

Trustees Matthew Raymond and Terry Webster have taken advantage of Qantas’ recent offer of two for the price of one, and will fly out to Zambia on 16 March for six weeks. During this visit they would like to finalise the purchase of the school and farm, and lay some groundwork for the start of the Cedric School Project. They will attend to legal requirements, meet with the school headmaster and staff, and get started on some of the most urgent priorities such as water reticulation, electric power and foundation slabs for chalets to live in.

This is a step of faith.

The Foundation is aware that these are not easy times economically, and we are very grateful to all who have contributed so far. We ask you to pray with us that in the remaining four months the balance of the required capital will be provided, and that when the time comes to transfer the funds the exchange rate will have improved.

Fundraising

The funds are coming in steadily. We have reached over 76% of the target for operational expenses for the first year, but only 28% of the target for capital requirements. We would need another NZ$72,000 at today’s rate of exchange just to get started in Zambia, but an additional NZ$274,000 is required to buy and establish 30 hectares of the farm. The long-term plan is to purchase the full 60 hectares of farmland that has been offered to us. Please contact us (info@limapela.org or phone +64 9 629 4884) if you would like to contribute to this. Your contribution could be a loan, a gift, or a contract to purchase shares in the project at $500 per share. Deposits can be made directly into the Limapela Foundation account. Please contact us if you would like those details. Donations from the UK may be sent care of Echoes of Service, 124 Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AH.

Why are we doing this?

We are burdened about the needs of young people in poorer communities in Africa, and taking on Cedric School will be of significant long-term benefit to this particular community. We have sufficient funds now to purchasing the school, but not enough yet to purchase the farm. Taking on the school without the farm would lead to long-term dependency on funds from abroad, and this we would prefer not to do. Please join hands with us so that we can achieve sustainability for Cedric School by the fourth year as originally planned.

Monthly Progress Report - 4 November 2008

2008-11-04T00:00:00Z

How Stable is Zambia politically?

Recent media coverage from other African countries is raising understandable concerns. But Zambia has shown remarkable political and economic stability since the country embraced democratic reform in 1991, and this year has performed extremely well in a remarkable test. On 29 June President Levy Mwanawasa suffered a serious stroke and was hospitalised in Paris. It appears that the Zambian government continued normally under the vice-president, and the country remained peaceful during the time that Mwanawasa was incapacitated, and until he died seven weeks later on 19 August. Three weeks of national mourning were then peacefully observed, followed by campaigning for a fresh presidential election held on 31 October. We feel this reflects very well on Zambia’s stability. Such a scenario would have been unimaginable in Africa several decades ago.

The Cedric School Project

The fundraising is going well, considering the current worldwide financial crisis. The New Zealand dollar remains weaker, having lost 25% of its value against the US dollar in the past few months. The effect has been to increase the total we need to raise in NZ dollars. But God is bigger than any world financial crisis, and we can ‘move mountains’ if we have faith.

We have made significant modifications to our agricultural plan, reducing the operational requirement for the first year from US$120,000 to US$66,000. Our giving community has been most generous — 33% of the capital requirement target for the first year (US$314,000) has now been achieved, and 73% of the operational requirement target (US$66,000). Funding for the capital requirement remains our most urgent need, especially as we anticipate that very soon the property will need to be paid for.

Communications with Zambia have been slow, but the vendors have given verbal agreement to our offer, and the survey of the school property has been carried out. The settlement arrangements and dates are being negotiated through the lawyer in Zambia, who will set up the new private company (to be called Limapela Community Development) as soon as the agreement has been signed.

Charity Registration

The NZ Charities Commission has now processed our application, so The Limapela Foundation is now a registered charitable entity (Registration No. CC32616) in terms of the New Zealand Charities Act 2005. Our application to the Inland Revenue Department for donee status is now being processed, and will be referred to the government to request listing under Schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act.

If the application for donee status is successful, all subsequent donations will be tax deductible, but not those received prior. In the meantime, donors might consider lending instead of giving. This would allow their loans to be converted into a donation later, if and when donee status has been granted, keeping open the possibility of a tax rebate in the future.

Monthly Progress Report - 23 October 2008

2008-10-23T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Limapela Foundation is now a registered charitable entity (Registration No. CC32616) in terms of the New Zealand Charities Act 2005. (For more information, visit the Charities Commission) Our application to the Inland Revenue Department for donee status is now being processed, and will be referred to the government to request listing under Schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act. If the application is successful, all subsequent donations will tax deductable, but not those received prior.

Monthly Progress Report - 10 October 2008

2008-10-10T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Foundation is now an Incorporated Charitable Trust in New Zealand. Our application for registration under the New Zealand Charities Act has now reached the Quality Review stage, which is expected to take several more months. It would seem that applications from charities whose work is for the benefit of people outside New Zealand are referred to the Quality Review stage for closer scrutiny before being decided upon. If the application is successful, all New Zealand donations received after 25 June 2008 will be tax deductable.

CORRECTION: Because our application for donee status has now been referred to the government for listing under Schedule 32 of the Income Tax Act, only donations received after the application has been approved will be tax deductable, not donations received after 25 June 2008 as previously stated. (23 October 2008)

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project

You can make a difference to the lives of these young people at Cedric School. Because of the generosity of many, the Foundation has already achieved 38% of the capital requirement target for the first year (US$317,000), and 48% of the operational requirement target (US$120,000). You will see that our most urgent need is now for the capital requirements.

The Foundation is also seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This sponsorship will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

Cheques should be made out to The Limapela Foundation, or you may use the Pledge Form. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information. The full project proposal can be viewed or downloaded here.

Agreement to Purchase

Our lawyer in Zambia is now arranging a meeting with Cedric and Mike Whittemore, the owners of the school and the land, to secure their written agreement to sell for a total of US$171,000. Once signed, a 10% deposit will be paid into a trust account in Zambia, and the balance will be required some time in 2009. This is a step of faith, and we encourage you to assist us in meeting this significant target.

The lawyer has been instructed to set up a new private company in Zambia to be called Limapela Community Development. This company will own the property and will be the legal entity responsible for the running of the project. The company directors will be Mpundu Mutala (Lusaka), Rev Patrick Chanda (Kitwe), Terry Webster and Matthew Raymond. The project will begin as soon as the property has been paid for and immigration permits granted.

Priorities for The First Stage of the Project

Modest chalets for the Raymonds and the Websters will be built, using local materials, on a plot to be surveyed close to the school.
Water and electrical supplies will be established and the farm land will be prepared for cropping.
School books will be purchased and the teachers salaries and conditions will be reviewed.

Monthly Progress Report - 3 September 2008

2008-09-03T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Foundation is now an Incorporated Charitable Trust in New Zealand, and application has been made to the New Zealand Charities Commission for tax-exemption on donations. Because of recent changes to the New Zealand legislation, the Charities Commission has been inundated with applications from both new and existing charities, and we understand it will be some months before our application is considered. However, if we are approved for issuing tax receipts, the approval will be backdated to the time the application was lodged, ensuring that those who have made donations since 25 June will receive tax rebates.

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project

It has been encouraging to hear from new donors and to see opportunities for promotion appearing almost daily. We have now reached 27% of the target for Capital and Development (US$317,000) for the first year, and 47% of the target for Operational Costs (US$120,000).

The New Zealand dollar has dropped in value against the US dollar in recent months, and because all our projections have been pegged to the US dollar, we will be somewhat disadvantaged unless the kiwi dollar gains ground again.

Our most urgent need is for the capital funding necessary to buy the school and the farm land.

In addition, the Foundation is seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This sponsorship will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

Agreement to Purchase

Formal purchase offers for both the Cedric School and adjoining farm land have now been drawn up, representing a total of US$175,000. Once signed, a 10% deposit will be paid into a trust account in Zambia, and the balance will be required early in 2009. This is a step of faith, and we encourage you to assist us in meeting this significant target.

The property will be owned by Limapela Community Development, which will be established in Zambia as a private limited liability company.

The Foundation anticipates that Terry Webster and Matthew Raymond will need to go to Zambia early in the new year to attend to the business formalities, purchase arrangements and immigration applications. Their wives Alison and Carolyn will join them soon after.

Contributing to the Foundation

Please support this project. Cheques should be made out to The Limapela Foundation, or you may use the Pledge Form. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information.

Monthly Progress Report - 25 July 2008

2008-07-25T00:00:00Z

The Foundation

The Limapela Foundation has now been incorporated in New Zealand as a Charitable Trust. At present the trustees are Matthew Raymond (teacher), Terry Webster (consultant) and Ben O'Connor (teacher), all of Auckland. Application is being made to the New Zealand Charities Commission for tax-exemption on donations. There have been recent changes to the legislation in this regard, resulting in a high number of applications from different organizations around the country, so the application is a lengthy process.

The Cedric School Project

The Foundation anticipates that Matthew and Alison Raymond and Terry and Carolyn Webster will be able to move out to Zambia early in 2009 to start the project. Prior to that the purchase and legal land transfer will need to be arranged with the Whittemore family, who are the current owners, and this may necessitate a preliminary visit by Matthew and Terry. A private company will need to be set up in Zambia and immigration permits applied for.

Fund-raising

Fund-raising for the Cedric School Project is gathering momentum. Many thanks to all who are contributing to this ambitious venture in one way or another. We are encouraged to report that we have now reached 22% of the target for Capital and Development (NZ$495,000) for the first year, and 42% of the targeted Operational Costs (NZ$160,000).

The Foundation is seeking committed sponsors for all 260 students at NZ$12 (US$10) per student per month, and sponsors for the 8 teachers at $400 (US$320) per teacher per month. This will ensure that the school running costs are covered while the farm is being established.

The Limapela Farm

Establishing the new Limapela Farm will be the most important priority. 60 hectares will be available for cultivation, and the sooner the crops are planted, the sooner the course towards self-sufficiency for Cedric School will be set. The company will ensure that the school will continue to run smoothly under its current headmaster and staff during the time of transition.

Contributing to the Foundation

We can assure you that your contribution will make a real difference to the education and well being of the children at Cedric School. Please use the Pledge Form if you wish to contribute financially, either with donations or on-going sponsorship. Do feel free to contact us if you are interested in assisting in any other way, or if you require further information.