Ohio family donates $1 million to build high school in Tanzania

Published: 2004-04-13

CANTON, Ohio (CNS) -- An Ohio family has donated $1 million to build a residential, coeducational Catholic high school in Tanzania. Father Augustine Njuu, a Tanzania-born Catholic priest who is superior general of the Kenya-based Apostles of Jesus, said the family's donation -- along with contributions from several Catholic dioceses and Knights of Columbus councils -- brings the Star Academy project more than halfway to its $2.2 million fund-raising goal. "Star Academy was but a dream, but we know now it will soon be a reality," said Father Njuu, who formerly worked as a chaplain at Mercy Medical Center in Canton. His order will operate the school. The family who gave the money wished to remain anonymous "but told us they are strong advocates of education and children," said Ohioan Bob Szanto, chairman of the Star Academy Foundation board of trustees. The school will be built on a 500-acre tract outside Arusha, the second-largest city in Tanzania, said Szanto.

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