Rhema Educational Trust

GUJARAT-INDIA

Update June 9, 2011: We can use your urgent support. A cyclone that hit Gujarat recently has destroyed the roof sheets of 4 classrooms (each 24x40 feet). The photos below illustrate the damage. This is very unfortunate because the new school year is starting very soon. The estimated repair costs is about INR 20000, or USD 500, because 40 asbestos sheets have to be replaced. We appreciate any support you can offer.
	Depending on where you live, can you donate directly to Rhema Educational Trust, or if you live in the USA or Europe,you can also donate via Sahaya International (scroll below for more information). We hope we can trust on your continued support. Any amount will already help us. Our heartfelt thanks in advance! We have currently raised $50 of the $500

Update November 2010: We are in urgent need of benches to make it easier for our students to sit. The children are outgrowing the small plastic chairs. One bench costs $45 (Rs. 2000), and can seat 3 children. We are in need of 20 benches. Are you or your circle of friends able to help us by sponsoring a bench? We will be happy to acknowledge your contribution here on this website. Bench number and sponsor: 1. Koen Van Rompay (USA) 6. 11. 16. 2. 7. 12. 17. 3. 8. 13. 18. 4. 9. 14. 19. 5. 10. 15. 20.

Dear friends,
Rhema Educational trust is a small non-governmental organization, founded in the year 2000. We work in a rural community in Gujarat, where poverty and illiteracy prevail, and children are often forced to drop out of school and enter child labor because of the financial needs of their families. To break this cycle of poverty and illiteracy, we work to uplift the poor and to educate disadvantaged and disabled children. We do this by fund-raising for schools, and providing education and skill-training. Our mission is to offer a learning environment to children and families that fosters productivity, independence and skills to cope with life's many challenges.

Our first project for the Rhema Educational Trust was to begin a small school called Silent Valley English Medium School, an independent, nonprofit school, for children living in the Surat district of South-Gujarat. Prior to our school, the nearest school was 10 km away, and so many poor families in these communities couldn't afford to send their children there. The Silent Valley English Medium School provides free education, and also has English on its curriculum. We started with ten pupils, two desks, and two teachers. The response of the local communities has been very good, as many parents are convinced of the importance of education of their children. In two years we have grown from a small parish school of 40 pupils to our present enrollment of over 100, serving grades kindergarten through 7.

Because our efforts have met with such success in creating a supportive academic atmosphere where poor and disabled children can learn and realize their own potential, we depend now more than ever on the kindness of donors to help meet the basic needs of the many more children who desperately need us. These needs must be met in the form of increased numbers of school supplies and educational materials such as books, computer, stationary, benches, desks, sports equipment and more.

We invite you to join in our efforts to bring academic opportunities, support and hope. Your prayers, generosity and financial support in our work will provide us with the tools we need to continue and expand our current goals.

If you are living in India or plan to travel to India, you can make donations to our school directly by either sending money to our Trust, or choosing a specific item from our wish list below. If you are living in the USA, you can support us by sending money via Sahaya International (see below), which will forward 100% of the money to us.

We look forward to many more years helping and families to the tough time. We will continue to evaluate our programs and service to be sure that we are meeting the needs of the children of today and the future!

Please help us!
Thanking you in anticipation,
Sincerely,

Richardson Kunju (President Rhema Educational Trust)

Rhema Educational Trust
Plot no 30, Sitaram Nagar
Navagam, Dindoli Road, Udhna
Gujarat, India - 394210
Phone: 91-261-8670180
rhemasurat@gmail.com

Wish List: furniture, computers, fans, old videos (VHS), televisions, VCR's, magazines, story books, water coolers, sport equipment, laboratory equipment, music instruments, video games, toys, CDs, photo copiers, cup boards, old bus or van, financial assistance for deserving child, and many other items.

Can we donate if living in the USA?

Yes! If you live in the USA and want to support the activities of this school, you can send donations via Sahaya International (www.sahaya.org).

Sahaya International is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donations are tax-deductible in the USA according to standard IRS rules.
Please (click here) to donate and then indicate that your donation is for Rhema-India. We thank you tremendously for your support!! .

 

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Every Christmas, a program is organized for the children to teach them about the meaning of this special day.