Coordinating a family get-together can be tough in 2019 with competing schedules and commitments, but one longtime St Jude鈥檚 supporter decided to tempt his family with travel, inviting 11 of them on a trip of a lifetime to Arusha, Tanzania to visit a place very close to his heart.
Brian Moloney has been involved with mini传媒 for 15 years, sponsoring two students鈥� academic scholarships as well as supporting additional boarding and transport costs.
His friendship with Gemma and the school has had such a profound impact on the Australian from Canterbury in Victoria that he and his wife wanted to share the experience with their children and grandchildren.
鈥淚 saw Gemma on the ABC and I was so taken back I started sponsoring a student鈥檚 scholarship. Visiting here I am so impressed where the money goes. Students are dressed well, the campus is spotless, the food is great, the opportunities everyone is given, it鈥檚 just outstanding,鈥� Brian said standing next to one the school buses he helps maintain.
Brian is passionate about the ethos of giving back to those in need and wants to instill that idea in the next generation.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important that Australians get behind the school as Tanzania is a country that is struggling and there is a lot of unemployment. This is an opportunity to change that, we could help make the future very bright.鈥�
Part of that future is Brian鈥檚 granddaughter, Georgia, who鈥檚 already planning to follow in the footsteps of her Pa after visiting St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淏eing here has opened my eyes. I鈥檝e grown up with Pa sponsoring the students鈥� scholarships, I鈥檝e seen all the letters and photos so it鈥檚 been amazing to actually be here with him. The highlight has been seeing the resilience of the students who have done it tough. I want to come here more times in my life and keep up the connection to St Jude鈥檚,鈥� Georgia shared while enjoying lunch with the students.
For Brian鈥檚 daughter the family鈥檚 jam-packed itinerary visiting the homes of St Jude鈥檚 students, joining them in extracurricular classes and exploring the wider community has been life changing.
鈥淭hank God dad saw Gemma on the TV and he鈥檚 been able to share this school with us. This trip has been a big wake up call for me. St Jude鈥檚 has really embraced our family. The students are respectful, disciplined, keen and are invigorated by coming to the school,鈥� Brian鈥檚 daughter Danielle reflected.
While St Jude鈥檚 has over 1,500 visitors each year, the majority coming between May and September over high season, this special intergenerational interaction was one to remember, bringing together the past and the future.
It鈥檚 safe to say the whole Moloney family are on board with Brian鈥檚 retirement plan to use his newfound spare time to fundraise for St Jude鈥檚, after seeing the educational institution鈥檚 impact and their grandfather鈥檚 contribution come to life for themselves.
Brian and the Moloney family can see the change鈥� St Jude鈥檚 is creating. Join them and visit St Jude鈥檚 to see firsthand the impact that people from all over the world have achieved together, changing the lives of 1,800 students, over 500 graduates and 290 staff and their families.
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