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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.

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/

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.