Dear Bright Star
Supporters,
December marks the
end of the school term and beginning of Christmas vacation for Bright Star
students. The new term will start in January. The children in the slum
might get a piece of candy, an article of clothing, or a trinket of some
kind. They might also get a special meal, perhaps chicken. They will
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ according to their faith and tribal
traditions.
The Bright Star Board
of Trustees will soon make decisions concerning the construction of high
school classrooms, science lab, and sewing center. Also important is where
to build so that valuable playground space is maintained. Although
expensive, the purchase of additional land from the Kenyan government is an
option we're investigating.
Thanks to Lora Lacy,
the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer Board of Outreach gave a generous
donation that paid for the construction of our new boys' dormitory. The 2nd
floor addition was completed with the laying of vinyl floor tiles. This is
the first time we've used the orange fiberglass roof tiles. They look
much more attractive than the rusting iron sheets. The Kokomo Noon Rotary
provided grant money to pay for furniture and bedding for the boys.
Needless to say, Pastor John writes that the boys are excited about their
new home. Pastor asked for money to buy bright blue paint to paint the new
dorm but I quickly instructed him not to paint anything! Our color
preferences are dissimilar, to put it mildly.
Almost $4450 was
donated to assist those slum residents and Bright Star families who lost
their homes during the recent fire outbreaks near the school. Your
generosity replaced 12 iron sheet homes, bought foam mattresses and
household items, re-built and stocked ten small businesses, and replaced
school supplies and uniforms of Bright Star students who were burned out.
You also paid the hospital expenses of our night watchman who was hurt
defending our school during the fire. This is the second time Noah has been
injured while protecting Bright Star. Becky Olson replaced our electrical
wires burned in the fire. Thanks to all who helped. The Foundation will be
assisting the government in providing better fire protection for residents
of Fuata Nyayo slum. The threat of fires is a constant concern since
everyone cooks on open fires.
"What does the
school need?", you might be asking. Since you asked, we need Rubik's Cubes,
sewing supplies (buttons, thread, needles), paint-by-number sets, travel
sized 1st aid kits, sewing kits, and shoe shine kits, world and African
maps, and money, of course.
"What do you need
money for?", you might be asking. We need donations to buy: fabric for
uniforms that Shirley Hoy is making ($400), human anatomy models and
charts ($350), crafts for the kids to make and keep ($100), and $400 to pay
the excess baggage fees for our March trip.
Pastor is begging
for laptops for our high school classes. If you have an old one you can
donate, that would be wonderful! I want so much for the kids to have access
to the Internet where there's an unlimited amount of information. My Aunt
Carmen generously donated the money which bought the textbooks, desks, and
chairs for our new Class 11 which starts in January.
Thanks to Son Rise
Worship Center and the First Baptist Church of Kokomo, the students and
orphans are fed hot meals of corn and beans with frequent supplements of
bananas, oranges, bread and butter, milk, cheese, and greens.
All orphans
and primary teachers have sponsors. What a blessing that is.
You are always in my
prayers. May you have a healthy and joyous Christmas.
With love,