SAM Trust

The Sister Ann Mary (SAM) Trust – named after Sister Ann Mary Carolissen – is a Public Benefit Organisation formed by a group of her former pupils to honour her legacy by continuing the work she did at St. Augustine’s Primary School, Durban. The trust was founded on the premise that young boys  and  girls  of  colour  have  a  place  in  the working   world   given   their   potential   to   be successful professionals.  The trust’s work involves four key pillars: Education, Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and a Bursary programme.

Besides its partnerships with other non-profit organisations, SAM especially  reaches  out to alumni of St. Augustine’s  primary school (Durban)  as possible benefactors  of the school’s ongoing  efforts in nurturing and advancing future generations of children.

The SAM Trust seeks to be the guardian of these impressionable young minds. Based on the ‘pay it forward’ principle, the SAM trust is not only about helping these youth - it is also about empowering them with the intention that they, in turn, will impart their acquired knowledge and tangible support to the next generation. The SAM Trust vision is to become mentors and to build a network of change agents committed to skilling and empowering  young adults, progressing them to successful professionals and economic independence.

          Colette Steeneveldt

 

INVITATION TO ALL ST. AUGUSTINE’S ALUMNI

The 11th February holds great significance for St. Augustine’s school. It is the 111th anniversary of the school’s foundation, this year, and the first anniversary of the death of Sr. Anne Mary (former principal). In celebration of this important day the SAM Trust, together with the school, hosted a special celebration.   A birthday/anniversary Mass was con-celebrated by two former pupils of the school – Frs. Joe Money and Alan Hendricks (both OMI).    This was followed by  a  dance during which the Trust was introduced and launched.  The purpose of this delightful event was to reunite classmates, teachers, families and friends from every era since the school’s inception.   This was a very happy event where tables and seats were sponsored, speeches were made, prizes won, dances danced and generally bridging the years took place. All proceeds were forwarded to the school as a tribute to the work the school has done over the years and to honour Sr. Anne Mary’s influence in so many lives.