The Lent Appeal 2008 poster

In Lent 2008, as part of its response to London Challenge 2012, the London Diocese raised money to help its African partners in ALMA to build primary schools to educate their young people.

The goal was to finance the building and equipping of a school in each of our link dioceses – Angola, Lebombo (Southern Mozambique) and Niassa (Northern Mozambique). A simple school with three classrooms and an administration block costs about £25,000.

Peter Southwood (ALMA Link Officer) reports:

“As at the morning of 12 June 2008, a total of GB£74,120.48 in cash and cheques received has been, or was about to be, banked.

This figure compares with a target for the Appeal of GB£75,000 and does not include tax recovery on Gift Aid declarations which the Diocese of London will be able to claim. While the total figure raised to date is subject to detailed checking there is no reason to doubt that the target figure has already been passed. Any further sums received this year for the Lent Appeal will also be put towards the building of primary schools in our Link Dioceses in Angola and Mozambique.”

Parishes are asked to send their collections to the ALMA Link Officer as soon as possible.

The fund raising activities included a concert at St Peter’s Hammersmith for Messumba Primary School in Niassa Diocese. St Peter’s has a parish link with Messumba.

Franklin Central Concert Choir

Their superb concert on 2 April was given by the Franklin Central Concert Choir from Indianapolis. The mixed ensemble of high school students, under the direction of William E. Griffel, delivered an evening to be remembered. Their excellent musical abilities were accompanied by great delight in performing. It was a privilege to meet the parents of some of the students after the concert.