Galen Catholic College has just received news that work for phase one at Abafala Catholic Primary School (in Timor Leste) is taking shape! This exciting news comes after three years of fundraising work through the combined efforts of Galen, Catholic College Sale and Notre Dame College Shepparton, along with grants from Catholic Funding Agencies.
The phase one reconstruction will consist of a new block of three classrooms, boys and girls toilets, a temporary 4 classroom block that can used during construction of the new building and some renovation to the staff house. It is anticipated that all the work for phase one will be completed before Christmas this year.
“As you can imagine, the teachers, students and parents, as well as the whole Abafala community are very excited that the project has finally commenced” said Galen’s Timor Immersion representative, Lyndel Petersen. “The staff and students at Galen would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents, local businesses and the broader Wangaratta community for their assistance in fundraising to help a community in need. Without their help, none of this work could happen, and the Timorese of Abafala are eternally grateful for our assistance.”
Galen College will continue to be involved with Abafala through annual immersion trips and particularly with fundraising efforts as Abafala Catholic Primary School moves towards Phase 2 and 3 of the redevelopment. It is hoped that these remaining stages will be complete in the not-to-distant future. Upon completion, Abafala students will be able to attend school from prep through to year 8, without having to leave home to attend boarding school in other locations once they reach grade 6. This will lead to a much stronger community, and greater employment opportunities within the remote Abafala village.