By Alexia Johnston High County Herald 20 Jan 2010

School desks are making their way to eastern Africa thanks to a Timaru woman’s fundraising efforts.
Liz Sakimura has helped buy desks for Mporokoso schools to stop children from dropping out of lessons because of inadequately equipped classrooms.

Mrs. Sakimura, who sponsors three children through World Vision New Zealand, joined the organisation’s volunteers corps in June last year with the goal of raising $1500 for new desks.

She established the fundraising project after hearing children at schools in the Mporokoso community development programme were dropping out because of the lack of resources.

Mrs. Sakimura said her reasons for fundraising “are very simple”.

“I believe we should all try to make the world a better place in some way, just because there is already enough injustice. This is my extremely small contribution.”

With the help of her own children, friends and neighbours Mrs. Sakimura has already exceeded her target of $1500 through raffles, car washes, an op-shop fundraiser and garage sales.

Mrs. Sakimura, who is a mother to seven children and grandmother to four, has continued her support by raising $1000 for an area development programme in Koro, in Mali, and $1000 for the United Nations’ food fund.

The UN contributes by multiplying each donation received by 10. Mrs. Sakimura plans to continue her fundraising efforts to benefit children in Mali’s World Vision programme.

“I’ve nearly reached the next goal, which is going towards a water well in Malawi and $500 worth of mosquitoes nets, which World Vision will distribute.

“To me, it’s very important that everyone does something to make the world a better place.”
She said money donated to organisations like World Vision did make a difference.

“I’d really love people to know that yes, the money really does get to these people. That’s the most common question I get asked and it does actually get there.”

However, Mrs. Sakimura doesn’t take all the credit for her recent fundraising efforts.” she said.
World Vision schools relationship co-coordinator Alice Banfield said Mrs. Sakimura’s support has amazed staff.

“Liz is a super enthusiastic World Vision volunteer and an inspiration to us all. She has a huge heart and has put so much work in, especially to help orphans and vulnerable children.