They have been eating and selling chocolates with a fury and for a worthy cause.

 

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) students living on-campus at Saint Martin’s College have raised more than $1 000 for the educational needs of a Fijian orphanage.

 

The group, including three CSU students and College Head the Rev. Jenny Willsher, is carrying on an annual St Martin’s College tradition to volunteer during the mid-year holidays at St Christopher’s Children’s Home in the Fijian capital, Suva.

 

The Rev. Willsher said, “St Christopher’s Children’s Home is run by an Anglican Order of Sisters and is home for a number of orphans and children who are victims of neglect or abuse.

 

She will be joined by Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science student Ms Kelsey Deeves, Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology) student Ms Sonya Franke and Bachelor Education (Primary) student Ms Lauren Reilly.

 

It is a return trip for Ms Reilly, from Beckom in NSW, who volunteered for the trip in 2012.

 

“It was such a significant experience in 2012 that I wanted to go again this year to continue my mentoring role with the high school girls I have kept in touch with,” Ms Reilly said.

 

The Rev. Willsher said, “Our students will do a range of tasks during their stay including helping out in the nursery and pre-school, organising the library and medical dispensary, painting tasks, and assisting the primary and high school students with their homework.

 

“We also participate in and lead the family prayer time for the children and the Sisters, and I take the daily Holy Communion service at the Home.”

 

The students will donate $1 144AUD ($2 000FJD) to help the Home with the employment of a part-time special needs teacher to work with children with disabilities.

 

“This money has been raised through fundraising efforts by St Martin’s College students selling chocolates,” the Rev. Willsher said.

 

“We are also grateful to staff at The Riverina Anglican College who bought lots of our chocolates.”

 

The students leave Australia for Fiji on Sunday, 22 June and will take with them supplies for the ‘homework box’ which CSU students established at the Home a couple of years ago.

 

“We noticed that the children didn’t have any resources for their school projects such as craft items, glue or cardboard – the things that Australian students generally have on hand at home for their school projects and assignments,” the Rev Willsher said.

 

The students have the support of CSU Global  – a program to increase international study experiences for students. The support includes a $500 Vice Chancellor Travel Grant as well as support to organise the trip.

 

St Martin’s College is a residential university college run by the Anglican Church of Australia. Read more here.