My husband might doubt the existence of Santa Claus, but he is profoundly grateful for the efforts of our neighbors, family and friends – the Santa Network – for their donations, prayers and well wishes during the holiday season.
What We’ve Done
We received pledges from 34 friends and family totaling more than $10,263. So far, donations from 28 members of the Santa Network have arrived providing $9,196 for disbursement to the orphanage. From five dollars to twenty-five hundred dollars, each donation provides direct support to the girls of St. Bakhita Foundation Orphanage.
Let me tell you what our Santa Network has accomplished for the girls of the St. Bakhita Foundation Orphanage:
- Rent. All of the back rent is paid, the girls have a safe place to live and the rent is paid through February.
- School Fees. We have paid one complete term for all 16 elementary and junior high girls, and completed partial payment for a second term. These payments have allowed the girls to continue their studies.
- University. Two girls will be able to continue their university studies and two others will be able to begin their university journey.
- The utilities are up to date, and the orphanage now has a three-burner stove. Previously, they were feeding 22-32 girls with a single burner gas stove.
- The orphanage was able to buy groceries, toiletries, laundry detergent, and dish soap.
- Because we have been able to provide for their basic needs and education, Carlton and I were able to divert some of our funds for an outing for the girls.
Each of you should be incredibly proud of your contributions. Your prayers, your donations and your words of encouragement have made a difference. Twenty-five dollars buys the most cost-effective jug of cooking oil needed to prepare meals. Thirty dollars fills the water tank for the month. One hundred dollars pays for a school term for a junior high school student or provisions for the term for a high school student. Two hundred dollars pays for a semester of housing for one of the university girls and goes a long ways toward a month of rent. Check out our 2023 year-end report to see a detailed breakdown of your donations and our expenditures.
The Journey Continues
As far as we have come, there is still more to do.
- Rent. The landlord has refused to sign a lease until the orphanage can provide at least one year, but preferably three years, of rent. To make the one-year goal, we need to raise an additional $1895.
- School Fees. The orphanage still has fees from the 21/22 school year and all of the 22/23 school year. The outstanding fees for previous years total $5436. That a doesn’t even begin to pay the first two terms of the 23/24 school year which will be $1417 total for each term.
- University. Hopefully, three more young women will be entering university or other technical training programs soon, and their fees will come due. Tuition for a year of university or other training ranges from $380 to $500 depending on the program.
- High School Provisions. The orphanage has outstanding bill for $984 to pay for the nine girls who are in high school. Another similar payment will be due in late March.
- Transportation. Each term, nine girls return to their boarding high school with free tuition, but it costs money, about $50 each way total six times each year. Additionally, two of the girls in University will continue to live at the orphanage and commute for about $40-70/month each.
- Just like our own homes, utilities and groceries will always be there along with medical bills, both planned and unplanned.
Our family plans to continue our monetary support of the orphanage while Gelin and I work to help the orphanage identify and apply to programs which can help with a more sustainable solution. We hope you will join us by donating what you can, when you can.