grace ministries - news update

At A Glance

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Grace Ministries' Newsletter

Volume 8 – Issue 2 • May - August, 2008

FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK

It gives me great pleasure in sharing with you what has transpired in the last four months although space limits to just a panoramic view. Let me take this opportunity to thank you all for standing with us when global recession was dictating the opposite. The fuel crisis has hit our economy very hard reducing the value of the purchasing power of the shilling. Our God has been very gracious to Grace School and has provided our needs.

The period has been rather slow for we had no construction going on. We are however back to it after receiving a grant of $10,000 from a foundation. It was an extremely cold season for us with temperatures dropping to 6 degrees Celsius during the month of July.

The children stayed warm through over dressing and the hot tea at 11 am and the Lunch at 1 o clock. Churches and Children Sponsors have remained faithful to their commitment and this has kept the ministry going.

During the current Session we do have two main events. The children take one day to go into the Country side and see the wonders of God Creation like the animals in the National Park. This has been given the date of 23rd-10-08. There is also a day for Christmas Party. This comes in the final days of the term around November. Both events cost $ 30 per child. We have been very fortunate that we have had all our children sponsored for these events in the past and still make a compassionate appeal for this year s sponsorship. May be the one s whom have sponsored children can pay for their children if it is possible.

Various departments have written and I do not have to repeat it myself.

Our prayer requests are:

Pray for the family of our child by the name Vivian whom we lost through HIV/AIDS yesterday 11/8.

Pray for our grade eight that will be the 1st class to do the National Primary Test in November.

Pray that the children sponsors will continue to support Grace School next year.

Pray that the children will get Sponsorship for the Study day and Christmas day.

We will get funds to complete the Dinning Hall/ Kitchen.

Grace is in the process of forming a Board of Directors. We need people who will buy out goal and will be committed.

The Lord be with you and bless you. Samuel.

EDUCATION

Learning throughout the school term continued uninterrupted with most children having marked improvement in all the subjects. In particular our class 8 did very well in their end term examinations and displayed notable improvement in mathematics. This is very encouraging to us. It was made possible through the high input of teachers who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. This being a pioneer class is very important to Grace School as it is the one which will create greater awareness of the school to be better known to the general public, when the results for national examination are released. A major achievement in line with this was the successful final registration of our candidates for the national examination to be done in November. This is because we had experienced major obstacles in doing so but we thank God who is always there for us.

UNIFORMS

During the term we were able to buy new uniforms for fifteen of the needy children. This was made possible by the financial support from the sponsors. We continue to thank all the dear friends who have continually stood with Grace School to make a difference in the lives of these children.

These are some of the children who got new uniforms

From left: George Mburu, Kelvin Onyango, Lillian Wanjiru, Timothy Ngugi and Cleophas Oriechi.

CHANGES IN OUR STAFF PROFILE

Grace School experienced change of staff touching both teaching and administrative departments. We had teacher Njoroge leaving the school and being replaced by teacher Keziah who is doing a good job. Also our school administrator Lillian Nderitu left and was replaced by Martha Ngera.

THE NEW SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

My name is Martha Ngera. I have a bachelor’s degree in commerce majoring in marketing and also pursuing professional qualification as a certified public Accountant.

I have recently joined Grace School as an administrator and look forward to making a positive contribution to the affairs of the school. For a number of years I have worked in poverty eradication programmes especially in the field of micro finance. I have gained fulfillment in watching people’s lives being transformed from high poverty levels to self reliance by training them on business and financial management. This has in a way shaped my life in that I have desired to work in a field that directly touches the lives of the people and where I can witness the transformation.

Grace School happened to be such a place. I have been touched by cases of abject poverty facing most of the children and also the fact that some of them are orphans. I could identify with them since my children are facing the same.

I am impressed by the tireless efforts of the grace school team made up of both teachers and the support staff in giving hope and a life to these children. This is under the guidance and leadership of Rev. Samuel. Special thanks too to all his friends and churches especially from East Tennessee who have responded to the need and kept a fire burning at Grace School. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain as in due course you will receive your reward.

My prayer and desire is to leave a mark as l push forward the mission and vision of Grace School. I am honored to work with all of you who share in this noble initiative.

TEACHER KARANJA & HIS EXPERIENCE WITH GRACE SCHOOL

Grace School teachers earn a meager salary as compared to their counterparts in public schools. This is inspite of them being highly qualified. Due to this they have to indirectly engage in other income generating activities in order to supplement their pay. As for teacher Karanja this has led him to start a small general kiosk which is run by his wife Rebecca. The kiosk is sparsely stocked but could do better with a little more funding. This could be possible if there was to be a revolving fund from which all staff can have access to interest free soft loans. We are struggling towards this for it will be a way of improving the quality of life of the teachers and also boosting their morale. We ask for your prayers and any possible assistance towards this end.

TEACHER KARANJA AND HIS WIFE REBECCA

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

At Grace School we operate as a community and therefore whenever one of us is hurting we share in the same. Recently we lost two parents who were ailing. We responded by visiting the two families during that time of mourning and assisting with contributions from both the students and the staff. Third term school fee for Alberto Ocholla a class eight student who was affected was waived. His father was the breadwinner and the mother does not earn an income. This helps in the development of children Social concern.

Grace School staff consoling a bereaved family.

Some children attended the funeral of their colleague’s Father to give moral support.

A TYPICAL APPRECIATION NOTE FROM A PARENT

It is encouraging to know that the work done by Grace School is not in vain and that it is recognized by the community.

Recently our spirits were lifted when we received an appreciation note from one of the very needy parents whose child’s school fee was waived. Below is the scanned note.

HIV & AIDS PROGRAMME

The term was good although very cold. Unlike the previous term when I was working with internally displaced persons (IDPS). This term I was fully working at Grace School. The IDPs have since been resettled although not all have agreed go back to their respective homes.

This term I was able to conduct home visits to both ailing children and parents. I also conducted one on one counseling to pupils and parents on different issues they had. Other times I offered psycho-social support to members of the community who live near Grace School regarding HIV/AIDS.

We were able to register three of the parents living with HIV/AIDS for medical insurance which will assist the patients offset the bill incase of hospitalization. The ARVS are given free of charge although they still require food supplements which are expensive. I am hoping in future we can be able to register all the parents living with HIV for this medical Insurance. This was possible because of your prayers and continued financial support to Grace School. HIV/AIDS is a menace that needs more community participation.

Thank you so much and May God bless you abundantly.

Ann Njuguna

(School Counselor)

FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY – APRIL 2008
ITEMS	USD
OPERATING INCOME/EXPENSES
Balance Brought Forward	1,141.00
Income	29,332.50
Total Income	30,473.50

EXPENSES	(28,710.00)

SURPLUS	1,763.50

SURPLUS ON CURRENT ACCOUNT	763.50

CAPITAL ACCOUNT
Capital Account	1,000.00

USD = United States Dollar

CONCLUSION

CHRISTMAS WILL COME BEFORE NEXT NEWSLETTER; WE THEREFORE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH YOU ALL THE JOYS OF CHRISTMAS FROM GRACE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

Samuel, Monica, Teachers, Administrators, and Children of Grace School.

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