URGENT: Can You Help Send a Child to School?
{Education Sponsors: Part 1}
In Ghana, all students must pay to attend school. In addition to course fees, they also must pay for their breakfast/lunch, books, and school uniforms. All of the orphans at the Offin Children's Centre have the blessing of attending school (right on campus, at Blessed Child School) for free from preschool through junior high. Once the students finish junior high, however, a problem arises. In Ghana, senior high schools (grades 10-12) are not only more expensive - but they are also boarding schools. In order to attend senior high school (SHS), the orphan must have the money for his/her application, entrance exam, course fees, room and board, books, and school uniform.
SHS in Ghana reminds me a lot of college in the US. When I was preparing to go to college, I worked, applied for scholarships, and relied heavily on the generous support of my parents. These children are teenagers on the other side of the world - with the same goals, hopes, and dreams that I had - but without jobs, without scholarships, and without families.
Who is going to pay for the high school education of an orphan?
SHS in Ghana reminds me a lot of college in the US. When I was preparing to go to college, I worked, applied for scholarships, and relied heavily on the generous support of my parents. These children are teenagers on the other side of the world - with the same goals, hopes, and dreams that I had - but without jobs, without scholarships, and without families.
Who is going to pay for the high school education of an orphan?
Thankfully, there are some people who have risen to the challenge and who have given generously to meet this need. The majority of SHS-aged students at the Offin Children's Centre are currently enrolled and are away at the boarding school; but there are still 7 children who are waiting.
These kids have been raised in the orphanage, some since they were toddlers. Education is their only hope for independence and a future. But because the funding isn't available, they aren't currently attending school. When I was in Ghana, I specifically observed these older children who have been left behind; I wanted to see what they did during the day while everyone else was away at school. They sat alone in their rooms, reviewed their old workbooks from junior high, listened to ringtones on their cell phones, swept the orphanage grounds, helped with cooking for the littlest children, and wandered up and down the road outside the gate. They are bored. They are killing time until someone can help make their dreams come true.
These kids have been raised in the orphanage, some since they were toddlers. Education is their only hope for independence and a future. But because the funding isn't available, they aren't currently attending school. When I was in Ghana, I specifically observed these older children who have been left behind; I wanted to see what they did during the day while everyone else was away at school. They sat alone in their rooms, reviewed their old workbooks from junior high, listened to ringtones on their cell phones, swept the orphanage grounds, helped with cooking for the littlest children, and wandered up and down the road outside the gate. They are bored. They are killing time until someone can help make their dreams come true.
Meet Lordina, Priscilla, and Abigail.
These are three of the children who are waiting for education sponsors.
Each of these children needs $550 to enroll in SHS. This will cover the application processing, entrance exam, books, and school uniform. After the initial $550 is paid, they will each need $200 per term (May, September, and January) for 3 years. The $200 each term will cover course fees and room and board. It will cost $2,350 total, over the course of 3 years, to sponsor one child through his/her high school graduation.
I recognize that this is a huge financial commitment, and one that very few people could make without significant sacrifice. But what about your church? Small group? Office? School? Extended family? If you put your minds and hearts together, did some re-arranging, and really took a step of faith: could you commit to becoming an education sponsor for one of these children? Or could you contribute by making a one-time donation? Every little bit helps.
It truly breaks my heart to realize that money is the only thing keeping these beautiful children from experiencing independence for the first time, fulfilling their educational dreams, and reaching their full potential. Wrinkly, dirty, green, paper money. What's it really worth, after all?
If you have any questions or would like to begin the conversation (pressure-free) about what it might look like to become an education sponsor for one of these children, please, please e-mail me.
I recognize that this is a huge financial commitment, and one that very few people could make without significant sacrifice. But what about your church? Small group? Office? School? Extended family? If you put your minds and hearts together, did some re-arranging, and really took a step of faith: could you commit to becoming an education sponsor for one of these children? Or could you contribute by making a one-time donation? Every little bit helps.
It truly breaks my heart to realize that money is the only thing keeping these beautiful children from experiencing independence for the first time, fulfilling their educational dreams, and reaching their full potential. Wrinkly, dirty, green, paper money. What's it really worth, after all?
If you have any questions or would like to begin the conversation (pressure-free) about what it might look like to become an education sponsor for one of these children, please, please e-mail me.
Emmanuel's Land
On my most recent trip to Ghana, I felt inspired to develop a plan for supporting and sponsoring the children of the Offin Children's Centre and Blessed Child School in a more sustainable way. I wrote about my dreams and the vision for Emmanuel's Land here.
Emmanuel's Land is still very much in the dreaming phase, but we can't ignore the ways that God is already building into it through the encouragement and support of people around us. Since returning home, I have had the opportunity to connect with a few people who expressed an immediate interest in being involved with this project. We have shared experiences, ideas, prayers, and discussed "next steps." To say that I'm feeling motivated now would be an understatement!
If you are feeling even the slightest "tug" to become involved in this endeavor, please contact me. I would love to buy you a cup of coffee, share my heart, and hear yours!
Emmanuel's Land is still very much in the dreaming phase, but we can't ignore the ways that God is already building into it through the encouragement and support of people around us. Since returning home, I have had the opportunity to connect with a few people who expressed an immediate interest in being involved with this project. We have shared experiences, ideas, prayers, and discussed "next steps." To say that I'm feeling motivated now would be an understatement!
If you are feeling even the slightest "tug" to become involved in this endeavor, please contact me. I would love to buy you a cup of coffee, share my heart, and hear yours!
Come To the Table: An Opportunity to Give
Please see these 2 posts first for an explanation of this entire project and dream:
Come to the Table: part 1
Come to the Table: part 2
1/13/13 - UPDATE:
If you are interested in making a donation to help fund the construction of tables, benches, and a new dining hall for the orphans of the Offin Childrens' Centre, please use the "donate" button below. We are looking for 29 individuals, families, churches, small groups, classrooms, etc. who will come together to sponsor the remaining tables. A $150 donation will pay for one table and two benches and will give countless children the opportunity to experience the joy of community.
3/1/13 - UPDATE:
Enough people chipped in and the tables and benches are now fully funded! Thank you!! Our next goal is to purchase 500 bowls ($2 each) and additional serving ware for the new dining hall. We will continue to update this page as we make progress toward our goal or as new needs arise. Thanks for your interest in supporting this project!
3/3/13 - UPDATE:
New Groningen Elementary students just launched a month long fundraiser and will be working to raise the $1,000 necessary to purchase 500 new bowls for the new dining hall! Thanks, New Groningen!
Come to the Table: part 1
Come to the Table: part 2
1/13/13 - UPDATE:
If you are interested in making a donation to help fund the construction of tables, benches, and a new dining hall for the orphans of the Offin Childrens' Centre, please use the "donate" button below. We are looking for 29 individuals, families, churches, small groups, classrooms, etc. who will come together to sponsor the remaining tables. A $150 donation will pay for one table and two benches and will give countless children the opportunity to experience the joy of community.
3/1/13 - UPDATE:
Enough people chipped in and the tables and benches are now fully funded! Thank you!! Our next goal is to purchase 500 bowls ($2 each) and additional serving ware for the new dining hall. We will continue to update this page as we make progress toward our goal or as new needs arise. Thanks for your interest in supporting this project!
3/3/13 - UPDATE:
New Groningen Elementary students just launched a month long fundraiser and will be working to raise the $1,000 necessary to purchase 500 new bowls for the new dining hall! Thanks, New Groningen!
*If giving via PayPal, please know that PayPal takes 2% so the total needed is actually $153 per table and 2 benches. We are happy to make up the difference, or you can always pay by cash or check if you're local or want to mail a donation instead. Thanks!
An Update from the Offin Childrens' Centre and Blessed Child School
The following update was sent directly from Mary and the Board of the OCC. If you are interested in helping to sponsor any of the children listed in this update, please contact us and we can provide more information on their current needs.
Thank you for your interest in the orphanage and helping to provide education and a future for these precious children!
Thank you for your interest in the orphanage and helping to provide education and a future for these precious children!