April 23, 2005
By Joan Ransberry
Staff Writer, Stouffville Sun-Tribune
A good-news message from Stouffville will be delivered to an east African village next month.
When a 10-member group from Stouffville and area arrives in poverty-ridden Tanzanian village of Igoma May 20, residents will be told funding for their much needed medical clinic is secure for another year.
Igoma residents will also be told the Stouffville work crew will build a doctor's office, help introduce a water-filtration system and fund vocational training for young people.
A fundraising gala, hosted Thursday by Stouffville Igoma Partnership, generated more than $36,000 for the project.
The event, with Toronto Raptors broadcaster Herbie Kuhn as guest speaker, was held at EastRidge Evangelical Missionary Church.
The dinner-auction attracted about 300 people, Stouffville Igoma Partnership president Peter Neufeld said.
The Igoma-bound work crew includes Dave Noble and four area youths.
"The people of Igoma got part of my heart," Mr. Noble said. "I'm excited about going on another mission."
Stouffville District Secondary students Joel Heppneer, 17, and Joel Knights, 17, will help with the construction.
"I'm going for the adventure and to help the people," Mr. Heppneer said.
Mr. Knights' father went on a similar mission to Africa a few years ago.
"I know something about it through my dad," Mr. Knights said.
"This is a perfect opportunity for me to go."
It will also be a first for Markham District High School students Andrew Lang, 17, and Blake Vaisanen, 15.
"The people in Igoma need our help," Mr. Lang said.
Mr. Neufeld stressed each member of the group will pay his or her own expenses for the three-week trip.
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