2012 Operation Bootstrap Africa planned

This is the year of Operation Bootstrap Africa's 14th annual walk, which will be held on Saturday, October 6. The walk will begin and end at First Lutheran Church, 822 Douglas Street, Alexandria. Participants are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. to allow time for registration. The 3 1/2 mile walk will begin at 11 a.m. and will conclude with a lunch provided for the walkers.

Last year's walk provided the money needed to build an additional classroom for the crowded Ilboro School located in the village of Ngateau on the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania. This year's goal is to raise $10,000 for the building of an additional classroom.

The school's population continues to explode due to Tanzanian parents' desire for their children to receive education. Last year, more than 1,900 students crowded into 14 classrooms, 100 students jammed into some of them.

Due to overcrowding, this term's third graders will attend school for half days to allow for split shifts. The students have few books with which to enrich their education, and much of the teaching is done from a blackboard. It is their hope that any additional funds raised can be used to purchase books and other teaching materials for the teachers.

Children and adults of all ages are invited to participate in this event either by walking or by sponsoring a walker. Pledge forms can be picked up at First Lutheran Church or at any of the other participating churches. Pledge money should be turned in at the beginning of the walk.

For more information concerning the walk, call (320) 762-2196 or (320) 491-6062.

Tags: faith, church, events