outreach
Women’s Day of Service
Scholarship Fund
The Miracle Of The Women’s Tea Money!
When thinking about tea parties, do you find yourself overwhelmed with
thoughts of the British gentry, scenes from Alice in Wonderland and pinky
fingers stuck up in the air? If so, you would have been surprised by the
Bethlehem Women’s Tea held last spring. Tea, bite sized sandwiches and great
conversation were present but so too were generous hearts and a great story.
The story about our mission Holisitic Children of the Horn of Africa (HMCHA)
was shared and money was raised to sponsor a first ever camp at the community
center built by Bethlehem hands and funds.
Twenty-nine excited teens participated in the camp. Thanks to Bethlehem
Women’s Tea they had what they needed for a memorable and meaningful
experience: mats to sleep on, blankets, sheets and pillows, big cooking pots and
plates for meals. Everyday included Bible study, math, science, games, English
lessons, and discussions.
Instead of lectures on physics and chemistry, they did hands-on experiments,
had debates about the advantages and disadvantages of technology and the
importance of having goals in life. Some of their comments after having attended
camp included: “My mind is opened, I didn’t know I could learn English so easily.
My interest in my education is increased. My attitude is changed completely.
I’ve started reading books everyday after this camp.
Other children said that they learned from each other, and that the way they
learned in the camp was so different from school: attractive, simple and
applicable. They learned more about the word of God and how to live together.
Most of them have a stronger desire to do well in school, and are looking forward
to another camp just before the new school year begins.
Thank you, Bethlehem women and girls! You made a difference!
Habitat 2018 was a great
success! From the hard working
volunteers on site, to the volunteers
who provided lunches and desserts, a
HUGE THANK YOU to helping make it
happen!!
Clara is a nurse at
Ambohimanga Sud,
a Lutheran health
center in rural
Madagascar. This
clinic is critical to
providing access
to health care for
people living in surrounding, remote
villages where roads are poor and
the nearest hospital is several days
walk. Access to a skilled nurse like
Clara during pregnancy can mean the
difference between life and death for a
mom and a baby.
Clara developed her skills with the
help of a scholarship to SEFAM,
the Lutheran School of Nursing in
Madagascar. At last year’s Women’s
Day of Service, Bethlehem women
created a scholarship fund facilitated
through Global Health Ministries,
for nursing students like Clara. An
offering that raised $982 for the new
scholarship fund – enough for three
scholarships at SEFAM.
Almost 80% of Madagascar’s
population lives on less than $1.90 per
day. That World Bank statistic is just
that- a statistic. But to Onja it is very
real. Her father is a Lutheran pastor
in a rural area of central Madagascar.
Without financial assistance, Onja
would not be able to attend SEFAM.
The school registration fee alone costs
70,000 Ariary, more than a month’s
wages for her family.
Onja is able to continue at SEFAM this
year because of her scholarship. She is
joined by Luck, whose hospitalization
in March and subsequent diabetes
diagnosis made it impossible for him to
stay in school without help. And Elie,
who is 23 years old and is said to lead
by example in the classroom, at church
and in the health facilities.
For infomation on this scholarship
fund, contact Kim Dickey, kimbdickey@
aol.com.
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