A group of young Rotarians from Emerald Primary School has successfully raised $800 for the charity Compelled By Love, demonstrating their commitment to community service both locally and internationally. The funds were presented during a special ceremony on December 4, 2025, where students from the Early Act program showcased their dedication to philanthropy.
Throughout the year, the Emerald Early Act members selected four projects to support: one local initiative, one school project, one environmental effort, and one international cause. According to Hollie Boniface, the school’s wellbeing officer, the students chose Compelled By Love due to its focus on education, particularly its partnership with Mnyafula Primary School in eSwatini, Africa.
Compelled By Love, a Christian organization, collaborates with local partners in countries such as eSwatini, India, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka to enhance community capacity. Until 2019, the Mnyafula community lacked a local school. The funds raised by the Emerald Early Act students will specifically contribute to rebuilding the school’s kitchen, ensuring that children receive at least one substantial meal each day they attend.
The Emerald students engaged in various fundraising activities, including a pyjama day and selling lolly bags at their school fair. Their efforts have expanded beyond this single initiative. With a growing membership of 38 students in 2025, the group has taken on significant responsibilities. They have been conducting their own meetings, expressing gratitude to first responders through sweets and letters, and actively participating in meetings with the Emerald Rotary.
In addition to their work with Compelled By Love, the Early Act students have also been collecting recycled cans to fund a water fountain on the school grounds, raising over $1,000 in the process. A recent event, the Wheelathon held in September, saw participation from the entire school, generating over $4,000 to purchase 17 wheelchairs, including two donated by Emerald Rotary for the Wheelchairs for Kids program.
The atmosphere during the cheque presentation was filled with joy, with smiles all around at Emerald Primary. The community eagerly anticipates the next initiatives from these young philanthropists, who are making a significant impact through their commitment to service.
