Beacon of Hope gets a Face Lift

As an educator I feel very passionate about the learning environment for both teachers and students. When we arrived in December I was a little (ok, a lot) surprised by how run down Beacon of Hope Secondary School looked.  I knew that great things were happening at this school and lives were being completely transformed...but the outward appearance of this school did not reflect the nature of what was happening.

We are so pleased that our fundraising efforts before leaving the US, and the continuous and generous support of many friends, enabled us to address the look of the school and give it a face lift.

Before painting

Outside the classroom block

Inside, back wall, of a classroom

Wait, she's very cute, but too young to be a student at Beacon

Front of a typical classroom

During Painting

 

Classes continued outside while classroom were being painted inside

Finished product...looks great!

Administration block

Freshly painted interior classroom

Do you agree that the fresh coat of paint looks spectacular?  When I spoke with students and teachers it was so encouraging to see their faces brighten as they talked about how great the school looked and how proud they are of their environment.  A little paint goes A LONG way.

Give the Gift of Dignity...a smashing success

I just want to say THANK YOU!  By supporting my family through prayers and financial gifts, I am here in Africa and had the opportunity to help organize this amazing fundraiser.  Thank you for your generosity towards us,

and

THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO GAVE TO THE “GIVE THE GIFT OF DIGNITY” CAMPAIGN.

Last month we did an online campaign to raise money to purchase needed personal care items for the young men and women at Beacon of Hope College.  We had a donor who was willing to match gifts totaling $1500.  I am so happy to report that we far exceeded our goal of raising $1500 for the match, and instead raised $2730.  Awesome awesome awesome!

I was able to participate in the purchase of these items in town and then the distribution of items to the students.  It took two trips in the truck to haul all of the goods back to the school.  In total we were able to purchase:

• 426 packages of sanitary napkins/pads
• 2172 bars of laundry soap
• 1086 bars of personal body soap
• 350 toothbrushes and a tube of toothpaste

·   

"back alley" where we purchased the boxes of soap 

Load #1...laundry soap

Warden Patrick, myself, Andrea and Matron Edith

Each student will receive over the course of the year: 6 bars
of laundry soap, 3 bars of body soap, 1 box of toothpaste
with a toothbrush and for the ladies 3 packages of sanitary
napkins/pads.

Many many smiles that day

This was my favorite day in Africa so far!

Personal care items in the hands of fantastic ladies