Go Ye Ministries + Horizons Foundation, by Cara Lottes
· New projects in process
· BIG ASK
· Congratulations to our 3 graduates!
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New projects in process
– GREAT NEWS about our drinking and cooking water … THANK YOU to a generous donor, because we should have NO LACK of water for the foreseeable future! A special gift was sent to increase our capacity for the rainwater collection system so 7 more large tanks are being installed RIGHT NOW on the property. We previously had 5 large tanks (+1 small one) and now will have 12 large tanks in operation, ready to store rainwater to supply the home all the way through the dry seasons. It was important to get the install moving right away before January’s dry season hits! This will be a HUGE improvement to daily life. And, a cost-saving measure over time because no more drinking water should be purchased.
>> Please enjoy these images of the bases being prepped to hold the tanks.
– Regarding the 1 smaller water tank we have, it still sits adjacent to the former garage that was blown down completely in a windstorm last month. We plan to leave it there for now and hope the garage may be rebuilt in 2025 when funds arrive – need $1200; and at that time gutters will be replaced to funnel water to the small tank again.
>> This is what’s left of the garage:
– Many homes in the area were damaged or destroyed last month; and it may have been a true tornado that went through the area. We are thankful for our BRICK DORMS that are very safe for the kids. And, we decided it was very important to add some metal reinforcement to the dining/study hall building which is made of the same corrugated metal/wooden pole structure as the garage was. WE ARE THANKFUL everyone remained safe in the windstorm/possible tornado last month.
>> Please see the new metal dining/study hall metal support poles added:
– Another “project in process” is CHRISTMAS FUN! Please help us with donations for the kids’ Christmas. If you would like to give towards a larger group gift, smaller individual gifts, specialty food or treats, just note any specifics on your donation.
BIG ASK … We need over $10,000 for kids to return to school in January!
– Kenya has NO free education. All schools require prepaid tuition, new uniforms, and specific school supplies. WE HAVE 75 KIDS in our care (and keep growing)! The cost for school is higher for Junior Secondary plus even higher for Secondary (high) school; so as much of our population is the same kids aging up, we will see higher school bills.
– Betty, Cara, and Washington continue discussing the January school plans for the kids. The Kenyan school year follows the calendar year, so kids level up their grade each January.
– We need to make specific plans for each child about how they can launch into the world after they become adults. Many of our kids are in a grade level below the expected one based on age; often because they were not in school before arriving. Nonetheless, as they approach 18 and turning 19, we must age them out of housing with children. We pray for witty ideas and funding over time to assist each child as they transition into the work world.
– One plan is to change courses for some “highschool-aged” kids out of traditional school and instead into trade schools, or apprenticeships for 17/18 year olds. Kids who are not getting high grades like As and Bs may be better served while living at the home to get job skills as they approach adulthood. This would enable them to have work and make money right away. So, there are specific kids who will be heading to trade school or an apprenticeship for January.
Note: Highschool in Kenya consists of Secondary school called Form 1,2,3,4 for each year.
– Another plan is to change courses for the high academic achievers in “highschool”. These kids have aspirations and show promise to attend university. Most have been at a local day school and finish Form 4 (senior year) by taking exams which are part of the university acceptance and scholarship process. The problem we see is they are competing on these standardized tests against kids in well resourced boarding schools in large cities like Nairobi. For example, the local day school has zero computers; while in a boarding school everyone might have their own computer. So, there are specific kids for whom we wish to pay a much higher fee and send to boarding school in January. This is an added cost but we believe an important investment!
Congratulations to our 3 graduates!
Note: In Kenya all students have a gap year after Form 4 and before university.
1. Barrack, in the green shirt, was a total orphan (no parents) living with a grandfather who could not take care of him. He lived with us for 5 years and has learned farming, and he is a Preacher and Gospel Singer. His plans are to work at our gas station for 1 year, living with his grandfather, as he waits for results if he can go to university paid by the government.
2. Derick, in the red shirt, nephew to Bishop Washington, lived with us 5 years and learned farming and painting. His plans are to work at our farm for 1 year, living with his grandmother, as he waits for results if he can go to university paid by the government.
3. Wycliffe, in the purple shirt, was a total orphan (no parents) living with a grandmother who could not take care of him. He lived with us for 4 years and has learned farming, and he is a Teacher of the Word of God. His plans are to work at our farm for 1 year, living with his grandmother, as he waits for results if he can go to university paid by the government.
>> We are thankful each experienced God’s love, learned about Jesus, and were able to be safe, fed, clothed, and educated in their time with us. May God bless them today and always!
To Donate, where 100 % of your gift is used to help orphaned and abandoned children:
Go Ye Ministries: PO Box 736, Prairie Grove AR 72753
Horizons Foundation: 2025 Zumbehl Road, Box 205, St. Charles MO 63303
PayPal link: Donate to HORIZONS FOUNDATION
Reach us: Horizons4kids@gmail.com – https://horizons4kids.com/
NLCPM is New Life Covenant & Power Ministries, the legal charity created in Kenya jointly by Go Ye Ministries and Horizons Foundation. NLCPM owns the children’s compound with the farm; plus the gas station/convenience store and 3 additional commercial buildings.