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Special 2022 Gala Edition Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Thank you to all who attended our20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala!
Celebrating our 20th Annual Gala was a big deal and we are grateful that so many of you were able to join us in person and online through the silent auction!
 Did we make our Gala fundraising goal?
The Gala raised $140,000! We are still $10,000 short of reaching our goal. If you would like to help us reach our goal please visit our website now and click donate.
https://lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com/donate/
 We recorded the Gala for you to watch!
Our team recorded the Gala and uploaded it onto our YouTube channel. You have the opportunity to watch the full Gala. Embedded in the Gala video is Mary’s story. Mary came to Light of Hope in 2015 and is a Friend of Hope to Dave and Linda Lehman. Watch as they help Mary share her story of finding Refuge, Restoration and Redirection at Light of Hope.
Shine a Light of Hope Gala 2022Mary’s Hope Video
We Can Make a Difference Slideshow
 
Friends of Hope Program Update
We have just 4 girls who are waiting for a Friend of Hope! Before the Gala there were still 12 girls! If you are interested in becoming a friend to Joesphine, Annastaciah, Lucy, or Sera, please reply to this email. Becoming a Friend of Hope is a way to support one of the girls with a monthly/yearly donation, writing letters back and forth and prayer.
Friend of Hope Program

Josephine – 16yrs old


Annastaciah – 5yrs old


Lucy – 18yrs old


Sera – 18yrs old

Gala Pictures
Send us your Gala pictures, we would love to see them!
office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

April/May 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala – April 22, 2022
Registration at 5:30pm  –  Dinner and Program begin at 6:30pm
Gale Woods Farm  –  Minnetrista, Minnesota
The Gala is sold out, but we have started a waiting list.
If you want to be added to the list please email Erin Quinn at office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com
 Online Silent Auction – You Don’t Want To Miss This!
The Silent Auction is all online this year and bidding begins on April 18th. Even if you can’t make the Gala in person you can still bid on amazing vacations, sporting events, household items, and tons of gift cards! Auction closes at 9pm sharp on April 22nd.
Browse the items here Silent Auction Items
Register Here To Start Bidding on April 18th 
 Meet our Diamond Level Gala Sponsors
Thank you to All Home Health and Atventure Retail Group for sponsoring our Gala!
 
Meet Joy
Joy was rescued by Light of Hope in March. She and her 7 siblings have been living with their Grandparents since their Mom passed away from HIV. The Grandparents are very poor and unable to provide and give her an education.
 
Boni and Sandy are back in Minnesota
Boni and Sandy are back in Minnesota after 3 months with the girls in Kenya. They had a wonderful time with the three teams who traveled to visit the girls. Each of these teams were able to rescue a girl during their visit. Nancy, Salome, and Joy. Plus there was lots of upkeep work happening around the campus. Boni and Sandy kept plenty busy! We are all so happy to have them back!
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

February/March 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala
SAVE THE DATE for our 20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala! April 22, 2022 
Registration at 5:30pm  –  Dinner and Program begin at 6:30pm
Gale Woods Farm  –  Minnetrista, Minnesota
 Light of Hope Visitors
January and February have been an exciting time at Light of Hope. Two groups of dear friends came to visit the girls and help with projects around the campus. The girls had a blast spending time with the groups. If you would like to schedule a trip, please reach out to us.
 New Swimming Requirements
The Kenya education system has put in place requirements that the children learn how to swim. Since learning to swim in the lakes isn’t safe with giant hippos and crocodiles, most Kenyans cannot swim. As you can imagine the girls love swimming at the local pool!
 
Meet Nancy
Nancy was rescued by Light of Hope in January from the Naivasha Safe House. She is a bright girl who has a great desire to be educated. Unfortunately, her mom kept her from school, forcing her to do house chores and take care of her younger brother. Her mom forbid her to go to school and punished her if she saw her doing any kind of school work. She went to the police when her mom abandoned her and and they brought her to the Safe house. Nancy is 13 years old and in first grade at Light of Hope. She is very eager and doing extra studies so that she can move up with girls her age. Nancy is so happy to be in school! If you would like to support her in her education please join our Friend of Hope program. More info here, https://lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com/about-the-program/.
 
Meet Salome
Salome is a sweet 6 year old who was referred to Light of Hope. Her Mom is partially deaf and her Dad is paralyzed on one side. The children are living with their mom and the dad lives in another village. Her mom works when she can but is unable to provide for Salome and her siblings. Salome is excited to be at Light of Hope and to have a full belly and opportunity to change the cycle of poverty in her family by getting an education. If you would like to support Salome in her education, please join our Friends of Hope program. More info here https://lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com/about-the-program/
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

December/January 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
We Have Reached An Exciting Milestone!
The 20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala
SAVE THE DATE for our 20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala! April 22, 2022 
Registration at 6pm  –  Dinner and Program begin at 6:45pm
Gale Woods Farm  –  Minnetrista, Minnesota
 Boni and Sandy in Kenya
Our co-founders are thrilled to be back in Kenya and spending time with the girls and staff. There are three groups who will be coming and going over the next couple of months including two doctors, several nurses, a Pastor and friends from one of our partnering churches.
 Introducing Spave
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 
 Meet Morrison
Morrison is the boots on the ground and Boni’s right hand man at Light of Hope. They are brothers and share a deep love for Jesus. He is in charge of all of the daily operations and overseeing construction and repairs. We are so grateful for Morrison and all that he does for Light of Hope!
 
If you haven’t had the chance to view the video the girls made over the holidays
click here to watch!

October/November 2021 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Thank You For Joining Us At Our International Day Of The Girl Luncheon

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the luncheon in October. There were 117 guests, a record turnout! We celebrated with some fun and informative speakers. Yummy food. Wonderful conversations with old friends and new. You blew our goal out of the water!Thank you so much for your support!
 Visitors to Light of Hope
In August the girls were so excited to have five friends from Minnesota travel to Light of Hope. These amazing friends brought with them a STEM program. Introduced leadership training to the girls. Rescued Janet and Elizabeth from poverty and hunger. Spent countless hours playing with the girls and pouring love into each of them.
 Purity is Thriving
Purity is 15 years old and has completed her education at Light of Hope. She has chosen to go to vocational training to become an auto mechanic. We are so proud of her! Purity is working hard and doing well. Light of Hope and you, our amazing donors, support the girls education through high school or vocational school. If you would like to help support Purity over the next 2 years while she completes this program, please respond to this email.
 There’s Joy In The Journey
Thank you for participating in our end of the year campaign in the past. Our theme this year is “There’s Joy in the Journey”. We will kick off on Giving Tuesday, November 30th, and end on December 31st. Our goal is to raise support for the 28 girls who are attending high school.
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Click here to watch a new video of Tabitha, Janet, and Elizabeth.

July/August 2021 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Upcoming International Day of the Girl Luncheon

Please join us for lunch! Tell Your Friends!  This is a fundraiser that coincides with the International Day of the Girl Child and is intended to raise awareness and expand out network supporters.  The lunch will take place on Wednesday, October 13th from Noon to 1:00pm at the Hutton House in Medicine Lake. We will be very deliberate in keeping the program to one hour. The event is complimentary for you and your guests as it will be sponsored by MedNet Solutions and the Hutton House.
 Please let me know by September 2, 2021 if you would like to host a table or if you would like to bring a couple friends and host a partial table. You can also join me at my table! Thank you in advance for your help in making this event a success! 
 New Website
We have redesigned and refreshed our website! A special thank you to Charlene, a Light of Hope volunteer, for all her time and knowledge that she brought to making this happen. We couldn’t have done it without her!
Check it out>>
 Boni and Sandy in Kenya
Boni and Sandy have been spending the end of the summer with the girls and staff at Light of Hope. They have been receiving more calls then ever from the Kenyan social workers and people in the community to take in more girls. It has been heartbreaking how much these girls have been through. Our hope is to keep helping these girls and we are so grateful for your continued support. Thank you!

 
 So Far This Year…You have helped rescue girls who have been rejected and forgotten.Continued to support the girls that call Light of Hope home and school. Sent girls to high school and college in record numbers. Added new buildings and continued to maintain the buildings that we have been blessed with in the past years. 
7 Rescued new girls 
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29 Girls in high school
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2 New classrooms built
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Thank You!
It has been my great joy to work for the girls, Boni and Sandy, God and this mission for just over a year. My favorite part of my job is talking to you on the phone and meeting you in person. I am always here to answer questions or to chat about what’s on your heart for Light of Hope. Thank you for receiving me so kindly into this position and I look forward to continuing this work!
Erin Quinn

May/June 2021 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Call for Friend of Hope Letters



Boni and Sandy are traveling to Light of Hope on July 26 and we are hoping to bring a letters from their Friends of Hope! We are thankful for each of you who are a part of this program already. Please email or hand write your letters and send to us no later then July 18.
This is an amazing and unique opportunity to pray for a specific girl, write letters back and forth and build a relationship. Can you help us match our last 25 girls who are not yet in the program? 
All it takes is a commitment to write a couple of letters a year and a recurring monthly donation of $50 or more (it costs $210 per month for each girl at LOH to receive her room, board and education).  
Here are two of the girls that are in need of a Friend of Hope. There are many more on our website.  Please email office@lightofhopekenya.infinitywebtest.com if you are able to participate! 


Meet SharonRose, she came to LOH in 2017 at 9yrs old. She was abandoned by her mother. Determined in her studies, she wants to be a nurse. Esther came to Light of Hope in February of this year. She is 12yrs old and the first born of three to a single mom. Before LOH she had to walk 5 miles to school each day. 
 Light of Hope Student Update
It’s June and the school is back in full swing. We have 80 girls at LOH plus girls in high school. Our construction of the two new classrooms is almost complete. Thanks to your generosity and love we have welcomed 5 new girls into the Light of Hope family in 2021!

 Rotary Connections?
For the past several months we have been working with the Shakopee Rotary and District 5950 to write an International Grant to help fund the construction of a Water Harvesting System at Light of Hope. This would help to capture the overabundance of rain water in the spring for use during the dry season. If you have any Rotary connections please let us know. We are in need of getting more Clubs participating with us. 
 
DonorSee
Have you heard of DonorSee? This is a new fundraising platform that we are trying out for our urgent projects that arise at Light of Hope. We just welcomed 7 year old Jane, can you help cover her first month expenses at LOH?

Click Here to Watch Jane’s Video on DonorSee!

March/April 2021 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Register NOW For The Gala On Saturday!
Our annual Shine A Light Of Hope Gala will be virtual again this year and our presentation will be top notch!
We are looking forward to having you join us on Saturday at 7:00pm! Please register below. The online Auction starts on Wednesday, April 14th at 8:00am and will close at 8:00pm SHARP following the Gala. Meet Jacinta and Faith who will be featured during the program. They are sisters who were just rescued in March by LOH.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
 A special thank you to our Diamond level sponsor! Atventure Retail Group
Light of Hope Student Update
We celebrated all of the March birthday’s last month and enjoyed a special birthday cake. 

 Building 2 New Classrooms
The new classrooms are almost complete. The desks and chairs are  in the process of being built for the students and teachers. 
 Boni and Sandy are back in Minnesota 
Boni and Sandy are back home after spending a wonderful couple of months with the girls and staff at Light of Hope. It’s great to have them back!

 
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 some or all of 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/

January/February 2021 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Light of Hope Student Update
The girls are back full time and ready to learn! The school passed its covid prevention inspection and school resumed full time in January.
112 girls = 112 smiles = 112 bright futures
Building 2 New Classrooms
Construction is in full swing, building 2 new classrooms. These classrooms have an immediate purpose of providing social distancing for schooling. Long term these classrooms represent hope and the future growth at Light of Hope. The ability to open our doors to more girls in Kenya who are in need of refuge, restoration and redirection.
Boni and Sandy are in Kenya
Boni and Sandy are so happy to be back with the girls at Light of Hope! 
 


Save the date for our annual Shine A Light Of Hope Gala.
It will be virtual again this year and our presentation will be top notch! We have been working hard but we still need your help. We are trying a new format and looking to have 30 Host Homes. Would you be willing to open your home to your friends, family, or neighbors to watch the gala together? Light of Hope will provide dessert!  Also, we are gathering donations of items, experiences, trips, etc. that can be auctioned to raise funds.  The 2021 Gala Committee has lofty goals this year and we are hoping you can help provide auction items. Please respond to this email if you would like more information.
Meet Esther
Rescued and brought to Light of Hope in February. At our virtual gala you will get the chance to meet her and hear her story.

 
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 some or all of 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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August/September 2020 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
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