Highlights from the Alaboo Charity Director's Visit

On September 24th, one of the directors of Alaboo Charity, Jonah, visited our school. Read his report here:

Visit to St. Elizabeth  Mission School

Date: Wednesday, September 24, 2025

I arrived at St. Elizabeth Mission School on the morning of Wednesday, September 24, 2025, and was warmly welcomed by Bishop Noah and the rest of the team at the old school. The old ‘site’ currently serves as their office while preparations continue for the move to the new school. The staff were very hospitable, and we began our meeting in earnest.

The main purpose of my visit was to extend greetings on behalf of Adrienne, the founder of Alaboo, the organization that sponsors the school, and to meet with the board members, teachers, parents, and students.

Before heading to the new school, we held a closed-door meeting with the board and leadership team. I was briefed on the school’s progress, challenges, and achievements, and together we brainstormed ways to move the school forward by identifying both immediate and long-term needs.

A major part of the meeting involved reviewing the financial records and filing systems for the past nine months of 2025. Because much of the documentation is still done manually, this review was quite a task. I took time to speak individually with the procurement officer, the manager, and the church leadership about their reporting processes. I suggested introducing computer software to help streamline financial tracking and reporting in the future.

Despite these challenges, Bishop Noah and the manager were well-informed and guided us efficiently through each matter. We agreed on the importance of improving reporting systems and committed to providing biweekly or monthly updates to the head office in Canada. To make this possible, staff training on basic computer software will be essential for more efficient and accurate reporting.

Once the office matters were concluded, we proceeded to the new school for a special event, a prayer session for the first group of Grade Six students, who have now completed their exams. The atmosphere there was filled with excitement and joy, a sharp contrast to the serious tone of our earlier meeting.  

When we arrived, tents had been set up and the grounds were full of color and celebration. Parents, guardians, and neighbors had already gathered. The event began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, accompanied by joyful singing. Three representatives took part in cutting the ribbon, each symbolizing a partnership between Alaboo and the school community. This was followed by prayers led by the assistant bishop, who blessed the students and the school.

After the ceremony, I was given a detailed  tour of the new site  which  included the kitchen, security office, washrooms, and newly completed classrooms, all made possible through the generous support of Alaboo Charity. I was deeply impressed by how quickly the land was acquired and how efficiently the construction had been carried out.

The classrooms are spacious and well-designed, and I was inspired by the upcoming plans for further development on the land. However, given the school’s ambitious expansion goals, it appears that the current property may eventually be too small to accommodate all future projects.

What moved me most was the joy and enthusiasm of the pupils, despite the school’s current lack of electricity and running water. Their happiness and faith reflect the true spirit of the mission, and I am confident that, with continued support, the school will be fully completed sooner than expected.

After the tour, we gathered again for songs and speeches from parents, children, and community members. Among the guests was the person who sold the land to Alaboo, as well as a pastor who had supported the school since its early days. Everyone spoke warmly of the school’s progress and expressed their hopes for its continued success. Many wished the Junior School students the best in their upcoming exams.

During the celebration, I had the honour of reading a speech from Adrienne, the founder of Alaboo, and of leading the prayers for the exam candidates. In her message, Adrienne assured the students and staff that she is always thinking of them, wished them success in their exams, and expressed her hope to visit the school soon.

The day concluded with group photos and a closing prayer.

Before leaving, I took a moment to reflect on the incredible work being done at St. Elizabeth. Nearly 90 percent of the children in this school are orphans or come from extremely poor backgrounds. Many had previously been turned away from other schools due to financial hardship, with some forced to work in cornfields instead of pursuing an education. Thanks to the generosity of Alaboo and its partners, these children now have hope and a future.

There is so much good news that cannot all fit into one report ,  the school is growing rapidly, and the positive changes are clear to see. While challenges remain, there is a strong and shared belief among staff, parents, and the community that St. Elizabeth Mission School will soon become one of the best in the region ,a beacon of opportunity and transformation for generations to come.