The Brother Lawrence Maher Fund for Africa is named for the former Principal of Brebeuf College School (1984-1996), a true Christian and a "Man for Others". Brother Maher was the Canadian Provincial of the Presentation Brothers when they expanded into the Third World in the spirit of Vatican II.
The Fund raises money for the Presentation Brothers' schools in Ghana and Nigeria in Africa. The state provides inadequate funds for education. The schools carry on the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice, the order's founder, who established schools for poor Irish boys in 19th century Ireland, and in so doing, helped transform that society by giving people skills, faith, and hope.
Since 2005, donations have helped to fund:
- library books
- lunchtime feeding programme
- computers
- furniture
- scholarships to Secondary School
- scholarships to Junior High School
- scholarships to Primary School
- school supplies
- sports equipment
- ceiling fans
- clean water
- uniforms
Donations to the Fund come from:
- Student collections on the First Friday of each month (following Mass);
- Casual Days;
- Generous donations from staff, alumni , former staff, and friends;
- The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association;
- Christmas Gift Catalogue;
- Other student initiatives