During their Week of Spiritual Emphasis (WOSE), the 100 students of Hurstville Adventist School raised $3113.85 to enable seven children in Bangladesh to receive an education. The WOSE was themed ‘God’s Little Helpers’ and the students were inspired to consider how they could serve others and show God’s love. They raised the money by donating to wear mufti every day of the week.

The idea to support children in Bangladesh came from Mrs Heidemann, Year 3/4 teacher, who was planning to travel to Bangladesh to support an Adventist Development and Relief Agency
(ADRA) project as part of a One Mission volunteer team. She thought that if all the students could give $5 each, they could raise enough money to sponsor a child’s education in Bangladesh. The students responded so well, they raised enough money to provide seven Bangladeshi children with an education.

“Our students’ response has been amazing!” said school Principal, Ms. Neva Taylor. “Every day [of the WOSE] they learned something new and have become much more selfless. An attitude of giving has just oozed out of them.”

One Year 5 student donated $100 from his pocket money savings, while a Pre-Kindy student gave all of the money from her money box.

One month after the WOSE, Mrs Heidemann traveled with a team to the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to provide assistance to families.