Dear Parishioners,

This year has seen many challenges for our school and parish communities and our usual program of fundraising for the Ruben Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, has also been affected as a result of the Covid pandemic.

Nevertheless, we feel that it is worth reaching out to our communities still, in the confidence that some people may wish to support others whose lives are even more severely impacted this year. As the attached newsletter from Ruben explains, the closure of schools due to Covid has in turn impacted families and their health. The Ruben Centre has always been a beacon of hope for these families, with the children receiving their regular meal at school each day.

Now, with school closures during the pandemic, the challenges become far more complex and devastating, with hunger being the most pressing for now.

With these thoughts in mind, the St. Francis Xavier College community is reaching out to the many people who have contributed generously to the Ruben Centre Appeal since its beginning in 2000.

This year, our students are unable to attend Masses in person to speak about the Appeal. Instead, we offer a direct donations link (below) to the Edmund Rice Foundation which administers all funds raised and forwards these funds to the Ruben Centre. 

By donating in this way, you will receive a tax receipt and your donations will support the vital programs at Ruben that care for the huge community there. 

The following link will give you an insight into the many programs that run through the Ruben Centre: https://www.rubencentre.org/

In gratitude for your ongoing support and generosity over the past 20 years,

and on behalf of the community of St. Francis Xavier College, 

Sue Munro and Bernadette Barlow

If you would like to donate towards this ongoing project, you can do so via: 

https://erf.org.au/donate/   (Please indicate “Ruben Centre, Nairobi” in the message)