Great Beginnings

25JanMay 16, 2020

We have seen some great beginnings for EC in 2019! Our 2018 Annual Appeal more than doubled from last year’s appeal, making us wonder what could be in store for the months ahead. It didn’t take long to find out. Early in January we received a request from Pastor Kishor Senepati, one of our contacts in northern India. He and his wife Mary were asking for help with the children of Orissa, where we provided funds for a well last year.

great beginnings for this little Indian girl — Waiting for help

Orissa, India

Although it is in northern India, Orissa is a tropical region, lying just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Temperatures in that region typically range between 80 – 110 degrees F, so even 60 F feels cold. This past month, nighttime temperatures in Orissa have been as low as 40 F, which is much colder than usual. We were told that the children in the village didn’t own any warm clothing, and they were beginning to get sick. Thanks to our generous supporters, in mid January we were able to wire funds for over 200 sweaters for these children. EC also teamed up with Juniper’s Fare Catering of Waterbury, VT to provide funds for a meal. Having something warm to wear is a good reason to celebrate!

great beginnings for this shop owner in India — The shop owner (left) who helped children receive their sweaters. (Pastor Kishor middle; Mary right)

A Change of Heart

Witnessing a change of heart is a reason to celebrate also. Two weeks after wiring the funds we discovered that the money had not yet been received in India. This meant that the children still didn’t have their much needed sweaters. Pastor Kishor told me that shop owners don’t usually let their goods out on credit. I believe in the power of prayer, and immediately began to pray for a change in this shopkeeper’s heart. A day later, I received a text telling me that this man had agreed to allow the sweaters to be purchased on credit! Now my prayer is that he and his business will be greatly blessed.

great beginnings in India — Mary handing out sweaters in Orissa

Making Life Easier

In the coming year EC will continue to feed and provide education for orphaned and vulnerable children in Kenya. We are also excited to be branching out into new areas. It is a blessing to make life easier for vulnerable children, no matter where they live.

Great Beginnings

To our faithful donors, we want to thank you for these great beginnings. Your partnership makes this work possible. If you would like to begin this new year by joining us in our efforts, please click here to make a secure donation today. Or feel free to contact us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you!

Dhanyavaad! (Thank you in chhattisgarhi.)

Exciting News

12MarMay 19, 2020

I have some very exciting news to share. Last month EC received a very generous grant from Christian Broadcasting Network! The grant is designated to help establish a struggling primary school in western Kenya.

The Miruya Primary School

As some of you already know, last summer EC’s Program Coordinator, William Aludo, discovered a school not far from his home where young children gathered each day, hoping to get an education. The only problem was that there were no teachers there to help them learn. The school building was solid, but it was unregistered as a public government school. Apparently the Kenyan government had run out of funding to register the school. As a result, they were not paying to send licensed teachers there to teach the children.

Each day between 50 and 100 students showed up and sat on the floor as there were not enough desks. They stayed simply because there was no where else for them to go. Parents from the area pooled their money to hire an untrained teacher to stay with their children, hoping that she could teach them some skills, and trusting that she would at least watch their children throughout the day. Unfortunately, because their resources were limited they were unable to pay her regularly, so sometimes she chose not to show up. The children continued to go to the school, mainly because they had no where else to go. Needless to say, it was distressing for parents to learn that their children were left on their own day after day.

The Promise of Assistance

The grant we have received from Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) will help put the Miruya Primary School on the map in western Kenya. Five teachers will be hired, desks and textbooks will be purchased, and a lunch program for orphaned and vulnerable students is being established. Best of all, plans are underway to dig a well on the school grounds! At our last staff meeting William reported that the promise of assistance has breathed new life into this area, and already new students are beginning to come to the school.

Children playing outside with their teacher at Miruya Primary School in Kenya — A circle game with students and their teacher at Miruya Primary School

Two Events

This past January two more important events for the Miruya Primary School happened. First, parents in the area held a successful fundraiser, raising enough to begin purchasing textbooks for their children. And secondly, William initiated a breakfast program of porridge for all the students, allowing everyone to focus on their studies instead of their empty stomachs. These events have given everyone a sense of ownership and pride in their school and their community. And now the additional promise of funding from CBN has made an impact that goes beyond many of these villagers greatest expectations.

CBN

CBN’s funding couldn’t have come at a better time for this small primary school. Beginning in April, desks and textbooks for teachers and students will be purchased. A much needed latrine will be dug, and a lunch program will be established soon afterward. The hope of a well with potable water is also in the works. None of this would be possible without the help of CBN’s Orphan’s Promise. This is a program that assists orphaned and at-risk children throughout the world, helping them to “thrive so that they can live full of hope and realize their God-given potential”. It goes without saying that we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with CBN.

Exciting News

If you want to be a part of bringing exciting news to at-risk primary and secondary school students in Kenya and India, please click here. Please note that there are several ways to lend a hand. This link outlines other ways to contribute to Everyone’s Child.

As always, ASANTE SANA (Thank you very much) for being the best part of Everyone’s Child!

Dear friends

18NovMay 19, 2020

Dear friends,

Every year I begin our Annual Appeal with these words, and every year I have the pleasure of crossing off “friends” and personalizing each letter that goes out to our supporters. The rest of the letter describes our programs and gives a short report of what has happened in the past 12 months. I love being able to add a note at the bottom as it brings me that much closer to those who have helped EC to accomplish so much.

The Appeal

Three weeks ago I sent these appeals from coast to coast and even into Canada. My hope is to once again reach out to the dear friends and supporters who have been so faithful to the children we serve overseas.

Children receiving their lunch in Kampi Ya Moto, Kenya

This Year

This past year in Kenya EC fed over 430 orphaned and at-risk children daily, educated 21 orphaned high school students, and led a monthly mentorship program for seven orphaned high school students. Two state-of-the-art preschool classrooms were built and dedicated in April. We also started a unique after school program for 20 at-risk primary school children in rural India. Each of these children now have a chance to reach their potential in life. And that is possible because our supporters have made it so.

a classroom full of boys learning — Learning after school – an important part of life in India

Our Goal

In the coming year our goal is to continue feeding, mentoring, and providing an education for as many orphaned and at-risk students as we can, in Kenya and now in India as well. The children at the Miruya Primary School in Kenya needs school supplies including desks and schoolbooks. They also need a well. Altogether, our fundraising goal for this season is $50,000.00.

Your Part

Even if you did not receive a personal letter from me asking for your support, you can still help. Your gift of $30 will feed a student for one month. $300 will provide a high school education for an orphaned child for one year. $1,000 goes a long way toward digging a well for the Miruya Primary School. And $2,000 will fund EC’s After School Program outside of Hyderabad, India.

All donations are tax-deductible, used for and appreciated by the children we support. Please click on this link to make a secure online donation to Everyone’s Child. You can also send a check or money order to Everyone’s Child, 19204 Cole Road, Conneautville, PA 16406. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your gift will make an immediate and real difference in the lives of these children.

Blessings,

Ruth