In August 2015, the Brisbane UU asked our church if we could provide urgent financial assistance to help completion of a schoolgirls’ dormitory at Dumaguette, in the Philippines. The PSJ group considered this project worthy of support, and in September 2015 the church sent a donation using PSJ funds. The dormitory is close to 5 Universities and colleges
A member of our church’s congregation, Dr Paul Henriques, laid the foundation for this project in January 2014. A dyslexic person himself, Paul has focussed his considerable knowledge and ability to start a pilot project in Samoa, aimed at helping Samoan primary and secondary school age children, using a computer software and workbook based programme called “Steps”.
In 2014, with the support of the Peace and Social Justice Group, Paul met with the Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) to initiate the pilot project where 4 schools were chosen. Teachers and Ministry staff were trained in the Steps programme by Paul, who then monitored progress over the following year. The church, through the PSJ Fund, donated 16 computers to the 4 schools for use in teaching dyslexic students.
