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South Surrey dinner serves up $21,500 for education in Africa

Zimbabwe Gecko Society event was held Oct. 5
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Beaded ornaments and other craft items and artwork made in Zimbabwe are to be sold next month in Ocean Park in support of the Zimbabwe Gecko Society. (File photo)

A fundraiser this month to help build a school in Zimbabwe raised $21,500 for the cause.

The Zimbabwe Gecko Society’s annual African Fundraising Dinner was held Oct. 5 at the White Rock Baptist Church.

“It was an evening of dining, socializing, listening, observing, buying tickets for the many donated baskets and wine boards, and much anticipating for the draws,” the South Surrey-based society’s co-founder, Susan Janetti, writes in a newsletter update issued last week.

“Everyone I spoke to reported having a great time and appreciated the hard work that went into making this evening such a success.”

The proceeds will enable construction of a school for children in Grades 1 to 7, Janetti adds, noting many of the children who will attend the new school currently walk 10 kilometres each way to go to class.

“We are also pleased to say that a container is being sent full of school desks, chairs, teachers’ desks, filing cabinets, and school supplies, not to mention the hordes of other goods going in, especially medical supplies which are desperately needed.”

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The society’s final fundraiser of the year is set for Nov. 2 and 3 at Ocean Park Community Hall.

The Zimbabwe Art and Craft Sale is to feature hand-crafted and painted cards, beaded ornaments, wooden bowls, batik table cloths and more. Proceeds from the sale of paintings will help supply artists in Zimbabwe with canvas and paint.

Food items will also be up for grabs, including apple butter sauce, hot pumpkin soup and chicken pies.

The sale is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hall is located at 1577 128 St. For more information, visit zimbabwegecko.com



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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