Ernst and Young Supports Education in Africa!

Five teams from the Jersey office competed against each other to raise the most money, with activities ranging from shoe shining to cake sales and soup kitchen to car washing. Prizes were awarded for those coming up with the most innovative idea and the most profitable activity. James Stuart, Tax Consultant, from the team that raised the most amount of money, was chosen by his team to accompany Ernst & Young’s Channel Islands Head of Tax, Partner Maxine Rawlins, who is herself a trustee of Kids Alive International International, to Africa later this year.

Maxine (pictured right in Zambia) said: ‘While our staff had a lot of fun raising the money, there was of course a serious side to all the events that we put on and the final amount of £10,370.26 will make such a difference to the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves. James and I will be going out to Kenya in November and will experience first-hand the lives that Ernst & Young are helping to improve. By helping Kids Alive International International we are working to broaden access to education so that the next generation has the skills it needs to make a positive contribution to society.

Matt Parker, Executive Director from Kids Alive International International said “I am most thankful to Ernst & Young for the amazing way in which they have supported Kids Alive International’ education projects in Kenya, Zambia and South Sudan.  This support will have a tremendous impact on the lives of hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children, giving them hope for a better future.”

The funds raised will be split across four projects in three countries in Africa: South Sudan, Kenya and Zambia. In South Sudan the funds will help provide an education to 12 residential and 23 non-residential children. Two new classrooms will be furnished at a Kenya school, allowing 60 children to get an education and in Zambia the funds will help 40 children who will have use of two new furnished classrooms. Each of these projects will be followed by one of the Ernst & Young teams who took part in the fund-raising with the fifth team also following the largest project of educating 60 children in Kenya.

Many thanks to Ernst and Young and its staff for such an amazing effort - we are extremely thankful for your support!