What do schoolchildren in Tanzania and an Abu Dhabi-based account manager at a wealth advisory firm have in common? Answer: A desire for stable education.
Craig O’Sullivan, who works for financial advisory firm Acuma in the capital, is all set to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro in the East African country in a bid to help build schools under the Village Education Project Kilimanjaro (VEPK).
“This is my first big charity adventure,” said O’Sullivan. “The only charity thing I’ve ever done is a Santa’s Dash just running around the streets of my hometown, Chester in the UK, to raise money for the NHS.”
Inspired by other peoples’ recollection of their experiences and his lifelong desire to climb the highest peak in Africa, O’Sullivan signed himself up for the Gulf For Good challenge. The chosen charity, VEPK, works to improve education in government primary and pre-primary schools across the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania.
Taking place this July, O’Sullivan’s climb will help raise funds for Sumaye, a Tanzanian government primary school south of Moshi. Currently educating 244 children, the ill-equipped facility has only three classrooms, forcing lessons to be held in the tiny kitchen hut or outside under plastic tarpaulins until the sweltering heat or seasonal floods take over.
O’Sullivan and VEPK hope to build a total of seven classrooms with any money raised. Presenting his cause every Tuesday at TrainYas, O’Sullivan is looking for individuals, groups and companies to donate a brick to help build the classrooms piece by piece.
“We’ve got a pull out brick wall and people can donate a brick, a row or an entire wall,” said O’Sullivan. “Say you were to donate a brick, you’d put your name on that brick, and when I get to Tanzania they allow me to put the name onto a wall or plaque in the school.”
To help reach his goal of AED 25,000, O’Sullivan is also hosting a weekly quiz night at Coopers in Park Rotana. Taking place at 8.30pm every Monday night until 25th June, there are plenty of prizes to be won.
To find out more about O’Sullivan’s challenge, visit: www.justgiving.com/craig-o
