Pupils on a mission for school in need

Children at Holy Cross School in Henderson know exactly where their money goes when they slip it into the donation box. They have heard the stories about the school in Nigeria they are helping, the children who benefit and the buildings being built with the coins they give each week.
They know because their principal, Kathy Moy-Low has been there. She worked with the
children at the crumbling school, and can give her Kiwi students a good idea of who they are helping.
Steffi Seniedo and Alessandra Paras organise mission activities at their West Auckland
Catholic school. The 12-year-old girls say hearing the stories from their principal makes a difference to how they feel about giving.
"We collect money every week,'' says Steffi. "I feel relieved that I am helping a little bit, even if it's just 10 cents.''
The pupils are even more enthusiastic to give to Sister Goretti's Mission in Nigeria since news arrived that several of the teachers were imprisoned and the school was robbed.
Alessandra says donating to the mission is even more important now.
"Most of the time we get so many opportunities in New Zealand that the Nigerian children don't. It feels good to give, knowing that it can actually help.''
She can't imagine what the children at the school have to endure. "I feel sad that there are kids my age who don't get what I get. They only get one meal a day.''
On top of the weekly donations, regular mufti days and other events are held to raise  funds.
Mrs Moy-Low says teaching the children to give is a core value of the school. Being able to tell the pupils what it's really like at the school in Nigeria adds to the learning experience.
"You can't beat a first-hand experience or a telephone call directly from the school telling us what is happening,'' she says.
The situation in the mission has worsened. On top of the imprisonments and robberies, all of Nigeria  is facing a severe drought and a hike in the price of rice - the country's staple food. 
"You can't compare it with any of the schools here,'' says the principal. "The seven months I spent there were a life-changing experience. And because I know the mission, because I spent seven months there, I know the money we raise here goes directly to the mission.''
For now, the school eagerly awaits the next report on the state of the imprisoned teachers. Knowing that phone call will come makes Nigeria seem so much closer.