Almost Time For School

This photo was taken the first day of school one year ago. I can't believe how much the girls have grown up! Leidy and Karla will be in the 6th grade this year and Julissa will be in 8th grade.

Susan and I were just talking about back-to-school preparations. All eleven of the sponsored children have someone sponsoring them again this year which is such a blessing for them. They are all so excited about going back to school (yes! really!!). While all the kids have their tuition, registration and exam fees covered, they still have other needs which have not yet been met. Transportation is a big cost. We are hoping to be able to once again have Tommy drive all eleven of them. He was so dependable. They have to travel about 5 miles to school and must be there at 7 a.m. Tommy was so good about getting them all to school before 7 so they could get the free breakfast that Miss Valerie serves. 

They will all need new uniforms. Most of the kids had only one uniform skirt or slacks and a couple of shirts, so they had to be hand laundered frequently and wear out that much more quickly...not to mention that they have all grown! Whatever is still serviceable will be passed down to a younger child. Everyone needs two pair of new shoes - the required black shoes and tennis shoes for gym class, as well as new backpacks, notebooks, pencils, etc. 

If you would like to help out in this ministry, your donation would be most gratefully received and put to good use. Some of you helped out last year and have asked me to let you know when more assistance would be needed. Now is the time. We will be taking the kids in to get registered the last week of January. They will then have about 2 weeks to get uniforms made and get supplies purchased. You may once again send your donation through our pastor's PayPal account and receive a charitable contribution receipt for your taxes (upon request). If you have that information from last year, it is still valid. Be sure to indicate which child you wish to help or mark it "for sponsored children".

Here's a list of needs with approximate costs to help you:

Transportation - $320 per child for the year

Uniforms and shoes - $85

Backpack - $15

Books - $75

Misc. supplies - $25

And the misc. misc. category to cover art projects, science fair projects, during the school year - $25

If you are interested in helping to make a huge difference in the life of a child here in Roatan, please let me know and I will get the PayPal information to you. Big or small, doesn't matter....it all adds up and helps so much.