We managed to get one of two classrooms completely finished before school started in January 2016,
so that we could move a group of students up to 6th grade. The goal was to get two new classrooms, but the second classroom still needs to be painted and glass put in the windows. Our goal is to complete it this year.
We are in full swing building toilet facilities for teachers and school staff. It is a requirement from the authorities so the workmen are busy, as we have already exceeded the time limit.
We have done something clever, we think. We have placed a 40-foot container on top of two other containers. In this container we have made two rooms, so we can have volunteer residents – both boys and girls. At this moment we have two young men staying out there and they think it’s great, because in this way they get in touch with the local population, especially the children. And at the same time they save about three hours a day which it takes to travel back and forth between Arusha and the school.
Tabitha
The father disappeared and they have had no contact with him for several years. Ruth is a bright girl in school. Her school decided to sponsor her schooling because they are really poor. For various reasons the school recently shut down and Ruth had to find another school.
The mother cannot afford to send Ruth to another school. Ruth’s grandfather is a Maasai and he wants to have her back in Maasai land. He does not want a girl to get eductaed, but instead follow the Maasai traditions for girls: to be married. Maasais think that only boys should get educated.
Ruth’s mother told me that Ruth’s grandfather had received an offer from an elderly, wealthy Maasai who wanted to pay a very large dowry in the form of many cows in order to marry Ruth. Ruth had been desperate because she wanted to stay in school, get her education and choose her husband when the time was ripe. For this reason the mother and Ruth came to our office asking for help.
We trusted God and sent Ruth to a good, Christian school where she is thriving.
We received a sponsor who will support her until Form 4 is completed. But Ruth wishes to continue for another two years and graduate from High School. If any of you would like to support Ruth for a few more years please write us or send a gift to our missions account. Please earmark it “Ruth”.
