Emmanuel student leaders supporting the life-changing work of Inspiring Alumni and Class of 1971 member Frank O’Shea.

Emmanuel College student leaders are encouraging their classmates to switch off and tune out for a cause. Over the term break Matt Hardiman, Jacob Pope and Noah Steel gave up phones, social media, study and work to Rest for Ruben.

Emmanuel College has seven sister and partner schools, one of which is the Ruben Centre located in the Mukuru Slum in Nairobi Kenya. The College’s ongoing partnership with the Ruben Centre includes: staff members donating directly to the Centre through voluntary payroll deductions, fundraising through events including Emmanuel Day and teachers volunteering to visit and work at the Ruben Centre.

Year 12 student leader Matt Hardiman explained that, “The idea behind having a rest-a-thon was twofold – firstly to create awareness and raise funds that will help the Ruben Centre and secondly to get people to switch off from the busyness of everyday life and the constant input we get from things like social media. We are going to just stop everything and take time to think and reflect, to relax and take a step back from it all. Participants have asked for sponsorship and all funds will go directly to the Ruben Centre. We have direct contact through Brother Frank O’Shea who is part of our school and is the Principal there. Having that link to Emmanuel makes it even more meaningful to us.”

Br Frank O’Shea is a member of the Class of 1971 and in 2009 was included in the first cohort of past students to be inducted into the Emmanuel College Inspiring Alumni for his life of service to others. Matt, Jacob and Noah were encouraged by teachers Tracy Edge and Josie Long (Frank’s sister) in their enterprise.

The Ruben Centre operates programs providing health, education and social development services for the people of the Mukuru slum, which houses about 900,000 people in inhuman conditions. The Centre consists of:

• a primary school with over 2,000 students
• a medical clinic with around 200 patients per day
• a community development unit that works collaboratively with the local people in the villages; and
• a vocational training facility which provides opportunities for skills in dressmaking and knitting.

“We are suggesting that students get up early and watch the sunrise, go for a walk on the beach or have a meal together as a family - something that often gets overlooked because of the busy schedules of family members”, said Matt.

Donations to the Ruben Centre can be made by contacting the Emmanuel College Administration Office.