In 2004, a team of people mainly from (and sponsored by) the finance and legal firm Mourant travelled to Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland). It was the second trip for Team Leader, Phil (see Phil’s Story about his first expedition to Swaziland here), who headed a group that carried out extensive and much-needed building work at St Augustine’s School. Below is a letter of thanks from Father Maurice O’Gorman from the Good Shepherd Mission, who was HATW’s local contact, and over-saw the project at St Augustine’s School.
Father Maurice O’Gorman’s letter
Nearly six months have slipped by since the arrival of your delightful group of ten young people, mostly from Jersey. They stayed just for the month of October, but in that short space of time somehow achieved a tremendous amount towards the extension of St. Augustine’s Primary School.
On behalf of Good Shepherd Mission, St. Augustine’s School itself and the Swazi people of that area, I wish to thank you, and Mourant, and indeed the whole team very much indeed.
Your group’s venture out into a relatively hidden corner of southern Africa was certainly challenging. It was also both immensely successful and deeply rewarding. Phil and his team faced an unknown and somewhat daunting task when taking on the completion of three classrooms and a domestic science block under completely novel and strange circumstances. That they completed most of the work in hand was highly praiseworthy. And the reward was felt on all sides.
First of all the members of the group itself were undoubtedly overjoyed at the results of their efforts. They departed with a deep sense of achievement and satisfaction. Each one of them played a vital and personal role as the buildings went up block by block. And they thanked God that no-one suffered any serious mishap.
Secondly, St Augustine’s School has gained immensely by being presented with these new buildings. The classrooms will allow for double-streaming, which in turn relieves the extreme pressure of large numbers of children in a single class. The domestic science block will open the way for the children to learn new skills in the fields of cookery, sewing, handicrafts, and painting.
The people of the area were excited, and deeply affected by being able to come into contact with young men and women of a completely different culture and racial group. They welcomed the team from the very start and contributed immensely in backing them up in the actual work of construction.
Then of course, Good Shepherd Mission had the satisfying experience of seeing one of its schools have its classroom space considerably extended.
And indeed Mourant gained – by knowing that a worthwhile task, encouraged and sponsored by them, had been happily completed.
I thank all of you and commend you for your generosity towards those in need. And I do wish to assure you that I would support wholeheartedly any plan to send a further group into our midst for the well-being and betterment of this nation.
May God bless you all.
Fr. Maurice O’Gorman