It's been more than 2 months since our trip to Haiti. While normal life has picked back up quickly, including 2 of our own kids having birthdays, we find the memories from Haiti to be fresh and our desire to help the kids increased. We have some updates to share from the children and from our fundraising so far.
- Twice in January, we had the privilege of hearing the CEO of GO Project speak about the successes from 2013 and the goals for 2014. Both times, he highlighted the working of orphan prevention through the funding of 6 pilot schools (our school in Léogâne is one of the six) as one of the biggest successes from 2013. They are excited about how it has worked and are hoping to roll it out to additional schools next school year.
- Specifically, in Léogâne, the school is impacting the community as hoped. Pastor Claude has made school almost free to the community and said that this is a huge evangelism tool for his church. Church attendance is up, school attendance is up, financial pressure has been alleviated. Claude told GO Project that the community is thrilled with our school partnership
- Sometime prior to our visit, 2 other care facilities closed and their children were moved to live at Eben Ezer Léogâne. GO Project did extensive research into each child's situation, met with family members, church leaders, school principals etc. Most of the children did not have any family. Those that did have family were in terribly difficult situations in communities where a school or church partnership was not possible. A Social Worker made a judgment call for each child to stay at Léogâne. While we will continue to pray for future reunification into families for any of the kids at Léogâne, we are thankful that God, in His perfect timing, has brought these children to Eben Ezer Léogâne where they will be cared for, educated, and taught the love of Christ. This brings the total children in full time care there to 81.
- We have much to celebrate in our fundraising so far! Praise God, $25,518.68 has been raised so far which is about 80% of what we need to raise for this school year. This money has repaired hurricane damaged roofs, provided closets for the children's home, and supported the monthly school budget for the school of 225 children. 15 staff members including teachers and support staff have full time jobs at the school. The children are being taught about Jesus and gaining an education. We witnessed it as we heard the kids speaking proper French, tell about school, and sing praise songs when we visited. Thank you to all who have prayed and contributed as we've seen God's hand work more than we could have imagined!
- At the same time, we still have $6642 that needs to be raised to cover the remaining school expenses for this year. Will you pray for the amount needed and consider if you can help? It is easy to make a donation online at https://my.goproject.org/project/gilmans-loving-leogane-kids/ . Here are some different ways you can help:
- Make an intentional swap. Trade something you would do "out" and do it more cheaply "in" as an individual or as a family and donate the money you didn't spend to help Haiti. It could be as simple as trading a dinner, lunch, treat, or movie night. Invite friends or bible study group to do it with you. Sometimes it's hard to go do a service project with young kids, but this is a way you can involve your kids at home.
- Sponsor one child's worth of schooling. It only takes $15 per month to send a child to school and that could be enough to keep his family together and give him a chance for his future in Haiti and his eternal future. You can make a recurring donation of any amount here: https://goproject.org/go-project/give/ongoing-donation/ . Be sure to put "Gilmans Léogâne" in the box to specify what the donation is for and send us a note, as there is a lag sometimes in the recurring gifts showing up.
- Shop the GO Exchange store for jewelry, sandals, bags, PJ pants, T-shirts and more. These make great gifts (like Mother's Day!). 25% goes directly to Léogâne for all products bought through this link: http://goex.org/a/ac/A0026/FN/Corrine/LN/Gilman/E/corigilman@hotmail.com/P/8058687817
- Try something new. Host a GO Exchange event in your home. If you aren't with me in Niceville, I'll talk you through the setup and I'll join by Skype to tell your guests about how the GO Exchange is fighting for orphan prevention by providing jobs and skills to local workers so they can care for their family. And I'll tell about Léogâne and how the 25% of the sale goes to help the children and school there. (You get a discount on products for yourself as an added bonus). GO Exchange sends you a kit of all the product samples, order instructions, and video clips - it's fun and easy!
- Choose a goal to work towards and raise money by telling others how they can support the kids in Haiti and help you meet your goal. 7-year old Josh Gornet and his family raised $600 by choosing to run a 5K as a family and telling others how they were doing it for Haiti. I hear it's easier to train when you've got the extra motivation of helping someone else too. Here's a sample of their page: https://my.goproject.org/team/santas-helpers/
- Share our updates or FB page with your own family and friends. You never know whose heart God will turn towards Léogâne, Haiti. I know we sure didn't see it coming and are so glad we heard about it at our church on Orphan Sunday.
- Keep the children and Pastor Claude and the church and teachers in your prayers. We try to post prayer requests on our FB page and will continue to send updates.
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