Executive Director Helps Girl in Africa Who Plans to Help People in Australia

The Executive Director of Agri-Culture and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau returned this week from a trip to Armidale, Australia where he and his wife, Laura, attended the New England University graduation of Thelma Chibweza.  Jess first met Thelma and her family while doing volunteer work in Zimbabwe in 1998.  Jess made four other volunteer trips to Zimbabwe but it was on the first trip that he developed a long-term relationship with the Chibweza family.  Jess and Laura offered to help pay for their three children to go to boarding school.   After graduating from the equivalent of high school in Zimbabwe, Thelma was accepted to the New England University in Australia.  The Browns continued to pay for her education.  Graduating from a first-world university was a feat in that Thelma came from a very rural African village that was without running water and electricity.  Going to a first world university was an adjustment for her.  Thelma majored in the Social Sciences and her goal is to stay in Australia and help people in need.

See attached article from the New England University website: http://blog.une.edu.au/news/2011/04/02/sponsors-fly-from-santa-cruz-to-armidale-for-thelmas-graduation/  Sponsors Fly from Santa Cruz to Armidale for Thelma’s Graduation.

                                                                                  Submitted by,

                                                                                  Bill Ringe, President

                                                                                  Agri-Culture