Click Here to Donate
Blog

Author: Stephanie Bassler

May / June Newsletter: School Updates

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 36 Comments on May / June Newsletter: School Updates

May/June Newsletter

Flooding at Light of Hope

The extended rainy season has brought incredible rainfall and flooding to eastern Africa and much of the damage was in Kenya. Over 100,000 people were displaced, lives and livestock were lost. Below is a video showing the water that has washed out the road leading to Light of Hope.

Watch Video – Featuring Boni!

Boni has not been able to come home since March due to the International travel ban in Kenya. We hope and pray that he will be able to travel home soon.

Update on Our Friends of Hope Initiative

The Friend of Hope program creates an opportunity to develop a very special friendship with a specific girl. You’ll have the chance to exchange pictures, share life stories, and pray for each other. With a monthly commitment to help cover the expenses of a girl you are making education possible and are empowering one of Africa’s leaders of tomorrow!
For more information contact Charlene at office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com or visit this page for more information.

Saying Goodbye to Lynn Schroeder

We had to say goodbye to a dear friend and advocate of Light of Hope. Lynn passed away on February 29, 2020. She is greatly missed.

Welcome to Erin Quinn who has been hired to take over the position as the Director of Marketing, Development and Donor Relations and can be reached at office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com.

How Covid-19 is Effecting Light of Hope

Light of Hope has been challenged with navigating Covid-19. On March 15th all Kenya schools closed. Some girls have stayed and others went to stay with relatives. The girls who stayed have been keeping busy around LOH making masks and taking care of the facility while maintaining social distancing. School will be open for 3rd term on September 1st and the girls are slowly returning to Light of Hope. To stay in compliance with the government mandate the classrooms will need to be expanded for more social distancing. This will be an unexpected expense to the Light of Hope budget.

2020 Online Gala: Thank you to our supporters!

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | Leave a Comment on 2020 Online Gala: Thank you to our supporters!

Dear friends and supporters of Light of Hope,

We are so grateful for your generosity and support of our “She is an Overcomer” online giving campaign and silent auction. Despite the challenges we faced this year, Light of Hope was able to raise over $130,000!! This is 65% of our goal of $200,000. We are overjoyed
to have raised these much-needed funds for the girls of Light of Hope!

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to each one of you. We hope you enjoyed our videos and pictures of the girls during the campaign and had fun bidding in the silent auction!

If you were not able to participate in the fundraising campaign, there is still time to help us reach our goal! Please go to our website to donate and to learn more about Light of Hope:
www.Lightofhopekenya.org

You may also want to visit the Friends of Hope section on the website that highlights how you can have a special relationship with a girl through letter writing, prayer and support for her monthly. She will be blessed to know someone in the US is thinking of and praying for her.
If you would like to become a Friend of Hope and select one of the girls, click here

Thank you, again, for the love, support and generosity you have shown the girls of Light of Hope and for making a difference, one life at a time!

The 2020 Gala Committee
Linda Lehman and Anne Boldt (Co-chairs)

Greetings from Kenya!

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 11 Comments on Greetings from Kenya!

Greetings from Boni Karanja at Light of Hope Home and School in Naivasha, Kenya!

While Boni is still in Kenya (and unable to fly back to the US at this time) he shares a greeting and his heart for the girls of Light of Hope.
We are missing him along with missing the Gala. Please see his greeting to you, our friends and supporters.

Click here to register for our virtual fundraiser and silent auction!

Silent auction opens for bidding on April 22– 25.

Donate today to support a girl for a year or to support our girls.

2020 Shine a Light of Hope Gala Announcement

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 208 Comments on 2020 Shine a Light of Hope Gala Announcement

To all of our supporters, friends and family

In an effort to keep our community as safe as possible, we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 18th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala this year. We do not want to put anyone at risk!

In light of “Social Distancing”, we would like to invite you to support Light of Hope from the comfort of your own homes and have some fun at the same time! Please join us as we embark on a Web Campaign/Auction to raise funds for Light of Hope from April 22-25, 2020. You can get a “sneak peek” at some fun, creative and valuable auction items and register now at no cost at: http://2020lohgala.givesmart.com
More details to come! Stay tuned!!

The theme of this year’s gala is “She is an Overcomer” and it is incredibly applicable for us now as we not only deal with the coronavirus issues but also the loss of our dear friend and LOH Marketing Director, Lynn Schroeder. Lynn was extremely dedicated to the mission of Light of Hope, and to honor her memory we will be dedicating the “She is an Overcomer” campaign to her. Please consider donating in honor of Lynn and on behalf of the girls. LOH counts on the gala as its primary fundraiser to generate almost half of its operating budget. We had set a fundraising goal of $200,000 from the gala, so it is CRUCIAL that we all pull together at this time and think about how to support these girls who have so little. We need to make sure the school can keep running and focus on the mission of LOH and the essential needs of the girls.

A great way to help LOH “overcome” these unforeseen circumstances would be to still give what it would have cost to attend the gala along with any other donation you would have given that night. That way, LOH will receive all the funds directly. Another idea is to invite those that were going to be at your table to stand in the gap and give generously to “overcome” any possible reduction in donations given in the room that night of the gala. We appreciate you and your support for these precious girls!

For those of you have already bought tickets to the gala, please consider donating those funds or feel free to contact us for a refund or with questions.

THIS YEAR, WE ALL HAVE A CHANCE TO BE OVERCOMERS!!

Linda Lehman (612-599-5747) and Anne Boldt (612-309-3443)
Co-Chairs of the 2020 Shine a Light of Hope Gala

January / February: School Updates

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | Leave a Comment on January / February: School Updates

January and February School Updates

An Update About Our End of Year Campaign

Thank you to all of our supporters who helped make our SHE IS UNSTOPPABLE campaign a success. During December, Light of Hope raised over $30,000 to allow us to welcome additional girls to our campus during 2020. You are a blessing to us!

Light of Hope Student, Jane W, proposed public park clean up and received government funding to proceed

Jane W led a group of youth to clean up a designated park space in Naivasha that had over the past number of years fallen into disrepair. After receiving government approval and funding, on January 15 the volunteers successfully conducted a first trash pick up. Residents of Naivasha are excited about Jane’s plans to plant trees and grass to further improve the site. It will be gratifying to see future use and enjoyment of this park space. We are proud of you, Jane.

Update about 8th grade testing, rising high schoolers

Our 2019 8th Grade Class tested well on the very rigorous Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam. Here are highlights about three of our newly admitted Form 1 high school girls:

Vivian W has been at Light of Hope since 2011. She has been very industrious and determined. She earned a very high score, which is commendable.

Lucy G joined Light of Hope in 2015. Her disciplined approach and gratitude for her quality education urged her on to a high score as well.

Tabitha W has worked hard and stayed focused on her Light of Hope classes since her arrival in 2013. Lucy scored well on her test.

All three girls are looking forward to their first year of secondary education! Congratulations, girls. We are very proud of your achievements.
You are inspiring to other Light of Hope girls.

New Student/Sister Finds Hope at Light of Hope

Please help us welcome Stacy, our newest member of the Light of Hope family. Stacy’s home situation was dire. Her mother, sister and she lived in extreme poverty and Stacy was not being educated. Her life and future will change for the better starting this month!

October / November: School Updates

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 26 Comments on October / November: School Updates

October and November School Updates

Please pray for our Grade 8 Students

Our Grade 8 students will be taking their final test to qualify for high school, beginning October 29th. The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) test is a stressful, important requirement which determines the future education placement for each girl. Scores on this test determine which level of high school they will attend.

Our High School Graduates will also benefit from your prayers

This is a time of transition for the girls who are completing their fourth year of high school. Each is planning her future and will be stepping into a vocation or additional education at a college or university. We are very proud of all of these girls and trust that God is directing their steps. Jeremiah 29:11.

Light of Hope Has An Active Girl Guides Program

16 girls at Light of Hope meet regularly with a leader to learn discipline and become empowered as leaders and to be responsible citizens of the world. This month, a generous donor contributed funds to allow our troop to purchase Girl Guides uniforms for the six newest members.

August / September Monthly Updates

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 223 Comments on August / September Monthly Updates

August and September School Updates

Welcoming Pauline and Sharon to LOH

In August we brought our two newest girls, Pauline and Sharon, to the Light of Hope family. It will be very rewarding to witness their transformation and integration as they get to know their new family and learn and grow.

Reunion 2019

The Founders of Light of Hope, Sandy and Boni Karanja, welcomed our alumni since the conception of Light of Hope in 2006 back to the campus for our first ever reunion. It was a great turnout and so heartwarming as the attendees shared their stories and memories of LoH with many hugs and laughter. The agenda for the reunion included a tour of the property and buildings, discussions about challenges the girls have faced, testimonials about their experience at Light of Hope and updates about their lives, working in the community or attending high school, college or university. As the young women discussed a future reunion, they shared their contact information and were encouraged by each other.
God is so good!

Staff Training

A team of passionate teachers from Chicago recently visited Light of Hope to share best practices with our teaching staff. INGAGE Unlimited is a nonprofit organization that sends teams of professionals to communities around the globe to provide training in education, leadership development and community health.

All involved in the joy-filled sessions were challenged and blessed.

June 2019: Monthly Updates

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 12 Comments on June 2019: Monthly Updates

June School Updates

Celebrating Day of the African Child

Twelve girls represented Light of Hope at the 2019 Day of the African Child Event. They presented a song, planted a tree and participated in activities to end violence against children.

Girls Giving Back to Light of Hope

Miriam and Grace, our college students, are back at Light of Hope giving their time and talent this spring before heading back to school.

The Light of Hope Medical Clinic is Officially Open!!

The newly opened medical clinic at Light of Hope also has a fully functional dental unit. Thanks to our financial partners who have helped make this important addition a reality.

Mid-Semester Activity and Back to Class Testing.

Light of Hope welcomed the high school girls back for their break between semesters. Once the school re-opened in May, current students took an exam to ready their minds for the oncoming semester and recap first semester learning

Thanks for a Successful 2019 Shine a Light of Hope Gala!

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | 7 Comments on Thanks for a Successful 2019 Shine a Light of Hope Gala!

The 2019 Shine a Light of Hope Gala was a Success!

Thank you to all who attended or supported our successful 2019 Shine a Light of Hope Gala! It was a lovely evening where friends, family and community came together to support the school.

Because of all of your support, the girls who call Light of Hope their home and school will be well cared for in the coming months! Our Light of Hope team and girls thank each and every one of you.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Posted on | by Stephanie Bassler | Leave a Comment on Thank You To Our Sponsors

Thank You to our Sponsors!

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors for the 17th Shine a Light of Hope Gala! We extend our sincere appreciation to Messerli Kramer, Navigate Forward, Mike and Nikki Mikan, and Dave and Sandy Kvamme. Their support allows us to continue our work to educate and home our amazing girls. We also would like to thank the families who have offered their support and dedication.

Click below for more information about our sponsors:

Messerli Kramer

Navigate Forward