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Finlandia Servant Leadership group announces fundraiser for program’s trip to Tanzania

March 10, 2023

March 18 fundraiser goal set at $2,000 for 15th trip to East Africa


Soup & Salad Lunch

On Saturday, March 18, students participating in Finlandia’s May 2023 Servant Leadership trip to Tanzania will host a soup, salad and silent auction fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, MI. The goal for the event is to raise $2,000, which will cover a third of each student’s expenses while the students cover the remaining amount. For those unable to attend, online donations can be made through Thrivent financial’s website at this link

This year’s trip will be the 15th and final Student Leadership trip to Tanzania, with five students planning to make the trip. Dr. René Johnson, Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, will be one of the staff members traveling alongside students.

“Since 2006, eighty-seven students have taken part in the Servant Leadership in Tanzania experience,” Johnson said. “I am delighted that five more students will get the opportunity to experience the hospitality and friendships of our hosts in Tanzania, and I love seeing the eagerness in their hearts for learning and serving during our 3-weeks in Tanzania this May.

“In 2019 when the students and I were saying our goodbyes to our hosts at the airport in Dar es Salaam I said, ‘See you next year!’ not knowing that there would be a 3-year hiatus due to COVID-19. That is not the proper way to say a final farewell to good friends and faithful hosts in that part of the world; that is not the way to bring closure to 15 years of companionship. Having this opportunity to make this final excursion with students means the world to me, personally, because I’ll be able to offer proper, in-person, expressions of gratitude to the generous and gracious staff and students at Kisarawe Lutheran Jr. Seminary and our host families at Temeke. It will be hard, but it will be beautiful.”

The fundraiser will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $7 before the event from Dr. Rene Johnson, rene.johnson@finlandia.edu or (906) 487-7558, or for $8 at the door. Students and children 6–12 can purchase tickets for $5. With a ticket purchase, participants have access to the silent auction and lunch.

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