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August/September 2020 Newsletter

International Day of the Girl is Almost Here
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Our International Day of the Girl celebration-luncheon-fundraiser is coming up fast. We are excited and thankful for all of the guests that have already signed up. Below are the details, if you wish to attend please let us know! Thursday October 8, 2020 Lunch and our one hour program begins at 12:00
The Hutton House in Medicine Lake
If you are unable to join us for the luncheon, please consider donating to our fundraiser. Donate Today
Light of Hope Student Update
Much like the rest of the world, Light of Hope has had to be patient and open to things ever changing. During these past several months we have had a constant flow of girls coming and going. This time has been treated like a summer or winter break where some of the girls stay with relatives for a time then switch with another group and so on. We are excited that this month all of the girls will be coming back as we start getting back to normal.  Some of the projects going on for the girls are e-learning, discovering their special gifts, learning more trades, and working together as a team with the staff to maintain their home and school. 
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Giving Opportunities
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Take 5 minutes to set up a Facebook birthday fundraiser. Update your AmazonSmile account to give 0.05% to Light of Hope. Donate directly to us through your workplace United Way program.
Look for our federal tax ID name – Lighthouse Ministries International of Africa
Become a Friend of Hope
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 Erin or Charlene at office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com or visit our website https://lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com/friends-of-hope/

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Boni made it back home to Minnesota!
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An important statistic:
According to the Borgen Project: “One year of secondary education for a girl in Kenya corresponds to over 25 percent increase in wages; if girls were to finish their secondary education, child marriage would be reduced by at least 50 percent.” Know that your support is essential to helping us empower Africa’s leaders of tomorrow!
Donate Today

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!

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

New LOH Medical Clinic

New LOH Medical Clinic Nearly Complete!

Opening 2019!

We are excited to announce that the projected opening of the LOH Medical Clinic is to be in February of 2019! This has been a dream of LOH, and as a result of receiving many generous donations, it is finally coming to fruition! The clinic will serve the girls and staff at LOH and we hope to serve the local community in the future.

“Through LOH, I am able to stand before people and proclaim the miracles that God has done for me. No words can explain the joy that is in my heart.”

– Former LOH student Mary Loyan

October 2018 Monthly Updates

October School Updates

Update on Nancy’s Rescue

Two months ago we introduced Nancy, who was brought to LOH due to an abusive home environment. Since arriving, she has been doing wonderfully, blossoming with love from her new sisters, staff, and Daddy Boni! Watch the above clip to find out how she’s been doing since arriving at Light of Hope!

International Day of the Girl Luncheon

The 2018 International Day of the Girl Luncheon, held last Thursday at The Hutton House, was a huge success! We had over 120 guests in attendance and raised over 20K in donations, our most successful luncheon to date!

A great big THANK YOU to Lt. Governor Michelle Fischbach for joining us and speaking so eloquently about the plight of young girls. ASANTE SANA!

Michelle Fischbach and Boni at 2018 IDOG Luncheon

Daily Chores

Everyone at LOH has a responsibility to help keep the grounds clean and to do daily chores. Here the girls are helping to clean the beans purchased at the market. Great job, girls!