Pinecrest Students Collect Over $3,000 for Orphanage in Congo

Pinecrest Academy high school students presented $3,484.94 to Catholic World Mission on April 12, 2016, at an all-school assembly, for the Ndekesha Orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The initiative was the students' Lenten campaign project for the 2015-2016 school year.

The students accepted daily donations in their Theology classes, received donations from parents and staff, and raised funds through their ”IGNITE" team headed by high school teacher, Mrs. Lucia Trevino. IGNITE is a program of Christian service which was designed specifically for Pinecrest high school students, to help them develop servant leadership through projects focused on corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Pinecrest juniors Erin Lavelle and Gabby Wesemeyer served as student leaders of the IGNITE team and presented checks to Deacon Rick Medina and Ms. Stephanie Lange of Catholic World Mission. Deacon Medina commented that Pinecrest students were the first donors to help the Ndekesha Orphanage, and they will use the funds to buy beds and other furniture for the 20 orphans currently living there.

"I am so proud of our high school students and their desire to help these orphans in need,” commented Siobhan O’Connor, Pinecrest High School Campus Minister. "I am grateful they took on this project with their theology teachers and collectively made it happen!"

The students are looking forward to keeping up with the progress of the rebuilding of the Orphanage through the Catholic World Mission website.