Dear Family and Friends,
It has been almost two months since we arrived in Maine-Soroa, our village of work. In that short amount of time we have come to realize that the needs of the people are far greater than we can physically provide here in the field. I want to share with you two passions I have in Maine; both encompass several different projects where a few dollars can make a real difference.
The first need involves the Barbara Kirker Second Chance School. For those who don't know, it is the school where I am teaching ESL to 90 some students, ages 9-14. Barbara Kirker started this school because, for whatever reason, these kids could not enroll in school at 6, 7 or 8 years of age. The Nigerien government has a law stating that if a child is not in school by age 8l,≥ one may not enter school, ever. The Barbara Kirker school provides an opportunity for kids to complete 6 years of schooling in 4 years in the hopes that these students will be able to matriculate in with their peers at the next educational level. The kids are amazing and truly want to learn but have no real supplies to speak of. Below is a list of "wants" which could help the students reach their goal--attaining an education. Some items have dollar amounts; further information is needed before supplying the remaining amounts.
Pens: $6/box
Notebooks: .$50-1.50 each
Chalk: $5/box
Mini Blackboards: $1
Wall Clocks: $10
Transformers/Regulators: $25-50
TV and DVD Player: $300
Globes
Maps
Computer Programs
Book Shelves
School Bell
Projector and Screen
French and English Books (I have a real burden to start a school library, especially since the literacy rate in Niger is less than 20%. However, these are the only supplies that we can't really buy in country, therefore shipping costs would be another expense.)
The second passion is the Kirker Hospital "cafeteria." I put it in italics because to call this space a cafeteria is to grossly exaggerate, however it is run by 5 amazing individuals who do their best with what they have, trying to serve 3 nutritional meals per day to patients and their families. Every meal is cooked over a fire with well used pots. The workers do everything, sorting beans, rice, corn, etc. to get rid of bugs and any other unwelcomed particles, preparing the food, delivering food to patients and families, and finally cleaning up. It is hard work, especially in 100 plus degree heat. We are trying to raise money for a small electric stove, but electricity is unreliable; we need other options. The kitchen staff have a small gas stove but gas is expensive; therefore, gas is rarely used. The use of coal is encouraged. Alas, wood is the fuel most often used; this contributes to deforestation, an extremely large problem in the desert. It would be best to have several options for cooking. Often food supplies run low. This problem will most likely be accentuated, in the next few months, as this region of Niger was recently placed on a famine watch. Below is a list of "wants" and the prices.
Electric Stove: $60-100
Gas: $15-30
Coal, 1 50 kilo sack which lasts 1 week: $5
Pots: $5-20
Large Soup Ladle: $6-10
Rice, 1 50 kilo sack which lasts 1 week: $45
Corn, 1 50 kilo sack which lasts 15 days: $20
Sorghum, 1 100 kilo sack which lasts 15 days: $40
Millet, 1 100 kilo sack which lasts 15 days: $30
As you can see, a few dollars can truly make a big difference.
If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation please visit the AHI, Adventist Health International, website at:
After clicking on the above link make sure that you follow the directions in the "please note" section, indicating that you want your contribution to go to Niger's Second Chance School or Niger's Kirker Hospital Cafeteria.
We have also set up a Facebook page for the school and will soon be partnering with a website called AFRCN APPRL, http://www.afrcn.com/
where you can buy very cool clothes and have a part of the proceeds benefit the school. If you go to their website and click blog, you will see a piece that I have written for them. They are in the process of updating their "projects" to include the Barbara Kirker Second Chance School.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you would like to see pictures pertaining to these projects please visit my Facebook page or my blog (the link is below.) If you have any questions or want more information email me!
Love,
Kari
kmhart76@hotmail.com
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. ~Dr. Seuss
