Pittsburgh Mennonite Church Member Prepares for African Journey

Ben Stucky is embarking on an 11-month journey to Africa to help rural schools gain new computers and knowledge, while at the same time, sharing his Mennonite faith and values a world away.

Leaving this August, Stucky, 22, of Moon Township, along with his family and friends, will gather at the in Swissvale this Saturday for a fundraiser to help him raise money for the trip, which will cost about $4,600.

“My degree is in mathematics and computer science and this seemed like a relevant experience for me,” Stucky said. “I was raised Mennonite with the values of service and compassion and that’s important to me, so that is a part of it, too.”

The fundraiser begins at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall, featuring music, desserts, a raffle and more. Pittsburgh coffeehouse favorite Brad Yoder will perform, along with Keith Herschberger and Zachary Good. Tickets are $5 while children three and under are free.

“I am very thankful for everyone who has helped out, especially the musicians and everyone who has donated an item for the raffle or agreed to make a dessert,” Stucky said.

The organization Stucky will be joining in Africa is called Serving and Living Together. He will spend almost a year living close to Nairobi, Kenya in a rural community. He leaves Aug. 18.

Stucky graduated from Moon Area High School and just received a degree from Bethel College, a Mennonite school in Kansas which both of his parents attended as well.

Stucky will be working with the Lari Memorial Peace Museum, which can be found at amanikenya.com. The mission states that the museum is a community based organization focused on peace building in Kenya.

“They have a bunch of projects that work towards this, including peace talks, exchange programs and training workdays,” Stucky said.

Stucky said the project he is working on has the goal of getting eight computers into rural schools in his area of Kenya.

“These computers are donated and free for the students to use,” Stucky said. “My job is going to be taking the computers to the schools, setting them up and teaching students how to use them.”

Stucky said he is mostly excited, but a little nervous at the same time.

“I am prepared for the culture shock,” he said. “This is going to be different from anything else. I am in the process of clearing my mind of any expectations and I am open to the possibility that it will just completely blow me away.”

He is looking forward to meeting his host family in Africa, getting to see different parts of Kenya and having the opportunity to go on a safari.

“I think my family may visit me next summer,” he said.