Sammamish’s Good Samaritan Episcopal Church’s Senior High Youth Group is on its way to make the a difference in one of the poorest countries in the world.

The group, which raised $40,000 the last two years, left for Tanzania, Africa on July 3.

While there, the kids will spend time at St. John’s Anglican Church’s AIDS Orphanage where they are scheduled to purchase and bring various supplies to children and their families impacted by the disease.

Much of the time will be spent in the home of the Bishop Simon Makundi and his wife, Martha.

The Emeritus Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Makundi comes from the same family as Alex Haley, the writer of “Roots.” The group will also have an opportunity to spend time with nature at Lake Manyara Wildlife Park and the Nrongoro Crater National Park where some of the largest concentrations of wildlife roam.

Vicar of Good Samaritan, the Rev. Dr. Suzi Robertson will be accompanying the kids and their other adult sponsors.  She and her husband, the Rev. Nolen Holcomb lived in Tanzania in 2003-2004.

They said they are pleased to have “their families” from the opposite side of the globe connect.

Robertson was scheduled to preach at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral on July 7.