Category: Education
May 15, 2012 by Katie
Last week I had the privilege of sharing at Living Springs Church in Garden Grove. This church was extremely special for me to share at, as it was the “birth place” of Empowering Lives International. ELI’s founder, Don Rogers, served at this church when God called him to start the organization, and Living Springs continues to remain a strong supporter of ELI’s work in Africa.
Being with junior high and high school students is always encouraging, and we had an incredible time of discovering together what it means to be a “light” in a dark world. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls us the “light of the world”. Will we be a passive light, much like a nightlight, that just sits on the wall and shines dimly only for the comfort of ourselves? Or will we go out as a light-saber that actively brings light to dark places and courageously contends for the sake of Christ? (more…)
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April 27, 2012 by dianahom
Mrs. Mushengenzi Zihalirwa with her second grade students
We asked our second grade teacher, Mrs. Mushengenzi Zihalirwa, from our school in DR Congo why she likes teaching at ELI’s School. Here are some of the things she said:
ELI gives the poorest of the poor children an opportunity to study.
We provide both intellectual and spiritual education
We hope that children and their families will know the love of God
Our school gives hope to the children, especially since the children come from poor backgrounds and many of their parents would not be able to pay for their school fees.
An education will help children be able to contribute to society in a useful way.
As teachers we receive training and attend regular seminars to ensure good quality education with results in the success of our children.
Our teaching methods create positive interaction between students and teachers which encourages students to participate in the lessons.
By providing food (porridge), ELI helps reinforce active participate of students during class because they are not tired.
We provide a good spiritual environment which is not only present in our school, but impacts the community and neighborhood; this makes parents want to send children to our school.
Thank you to everyone who is supporting our school!
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April 19, 2012 by dianahom
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our school in South Sudan and for our students. Our school is still temporarily closed during the time of disarmament in South Sudan, but, our 8th grade students continued to prepare for mock final exams that took place March 29-30th. These mock exams were in preparation for the final exams they will take in order to graduate from the 8th grade. Our 8th grade class consists of 17 students and all of them passed these mock exams! Please pray for them as they continue to prepare for their actual final examinations. Please also keep South Sudan in your prayers as they build the new country and avoid an internal war.
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March 27, 2012 by Katie
The Empowering Lives Kenya Anti-Alcoholic (KAA) program will be running a campaign in the village Merewet, located in the Moiben Region, on March 30 -31, 2012. The Team has determined that Merewet will be their new target of operation this year, where there is much brewing and alcoholism currently taking place. It is estimated that 25% of this population are alcoholics, ranging in age from 18 to 45.
The village of Merewet is in economic decline, as many in the community are not working or investing their funds into establishing a sustainable living for their families. While there is farming, the yield is extremely poor. Either there is little motivation to learn farming techniques or what money is made is spent feeding their addiction.
The KAA team will set out to help inform this community of the dangers of alcoholism, so that they can make an informed decision on how they want to live the rest of their lives. (more…)
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March 10, 2012 by Cathy
Joan (Kipkaren Children’s Home), Faith and Truphena (Ilula Children’s Home) are students at Ndalat Gaa Girls Secondary School. It is common for boarding schools to invite parents several times throughout the year for special functions – visitation days, prize giving day, thanksgiving day. On Saturday we were called for a special event – Mothers Day! As Form 1 students (freshmen), Joan and Faith were eager to see familiar faces from home. Truphena, a Form 3 student (junior), was more eager to get a hug and fresh news from home.
Mothers Day began at Ndalat Gaa a few years ago for girls and their mothers to gather for a day focused upon idea exchange and encouragement. We first were involved in grade level discussion groups where mothers gave advice about becoming young women – especially in the areas of career and self-conduct. Then, the girls asked questions of the moms, enabling them to elicit advice for life’s concerns. We closed this time by praying for the girls.
The mothers gather to pray for the Form 3 girls
Next we entered the dining hall for a celebration of all things feminine. The girls danced and sang with great energy, welcoming their mothers and important women from the community. After a series of speeches, one from a woman aspiring to become a member of parliament, we ended the day with a gift exchange. Joan, Faith, and Truphena presented us with encouraging notes and we gave them some much anticipated items – treats from home! It was a blessing to see for ourselves that the girls have settled in well at school and are following God in all things. It was a wonderful way to celebrate being a mother!
Form 1 girls sing for the mothers and guests
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February 22, 2012 by Cathy
Brook of Faith Scouts lead the parade of scouts from the zone.
Nearly all Scout Associations throughout the world celebrated Founder’s Day or World Thinking Day on February 22nd, in remembrance of Lord Baden-Powell the founder of the Boy Scout movement, and his wife Lady Baden-Powell, the founder of the Girl Guide movement (Girl Scouts in the USA). It is celebrated on February 22nd because that was the date of their births.
In Kipkaren, scouts from throughout the zone gathered at Brook of Faith Academy (ELI primary school). Over ten schools came to show their scouting spirit through marching drills, singing, skits, and dancing. The zonal chairman of Scouting was in attendance, as well as the scout commander for the Chebaiywa area, the District Education Officer, and other guests. In honor of the scouting commitment to the environment and community development ten trees were planted on the Brook of Faith property.
Mr Tanui, BOF teacher, assists scouts in planting trees.
Scouting has been at Brook of Faith Primary since it opened and several boys and girls from the Kipkaren Children’s Home are active scouts. Scouting is a wonderful way to develop leadership skills, experience new activities, and honor God through faith teachings. We are proud to have our boys and girls involved in Scouting!
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February 6, 2012 by Cathy
As a new school year begins in Kenya, ten children have set our from the Kipkaren Children’s Home on a big adventure – starting boarding school as Form One students (freshmen in high school). I had the great privilege to sit with them and hear their expectations, hopes, and fears related to this new chapter in their lives. Below is the story of one child, Brian Festus Kiptoo:
Felix, Esther, Brian Festus, and Sharon are ready to head out to secondary school!
I expect many things when I attend high school. One is making new friends who will encourage me to be faithful, loving, enthusiastic, happy, hard working and smart. I also hope to win many of my friends to Christ because I myself am a born again Christian.
I expect to have new teachers who are friendly and ready to help with problems. I hope to have teachers who will assist me in my education so I excel. I know that there will be students around who will try to ruin me but I will not forget the Greek adage, “Bad company ruins good morals.” That will be my proverb to remember while I’m in school!
I love Jesus because He saved me from my sins. I hope to get higher grades than I had in primary school. That would make me really happy! I also hope to learn more than I learned in primary school. I trust in my true and loving God. He will make the impossible possible!
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January 27, 2012 by dianahom
Recently we asked some of the children in the South Sudan community of Kolmarek how ELI has impacted their lives. Here is what they said:
“Now I have rivers of joy and peace in my heart since I joined ELI South Sudan School. I was a helpless child before but now I can see myself as a nation builder, regardless of having no parents. I will succeed in life.”
- Jacob Jok Matiop, Grade 7
“I want to be a doctor to help the sick people in the future. My grandmother does fall sick yet we don’t have a doctor nearby to treat her. My brother was very sick for one week without eating, but I thank God he healed him. Being a doctor, I would be able to help my family members when I know how drugs are prescribed and dosages. I would build my own pharmacy.”
- Grace Athieng Kuol Lueth, Grade 4
The orphans and vulnerable children who attend our school have hope and dreams for their futures, despite the hardships they have endured. Attending our school has offered them opportunities that many children never receive.
Sponsorship and generous donations are not only educating children and preparing them for the future, but it is teaching them about the love of Jesus and they in turn are showing others His love. One day, one of our students excitedly returned home after school to her ill grandmother. For several days, this young girls’ grandmother was getting progressively sick. No one knew what was wrong with her health. During school that day, this young girl learned about Jesus who is Healer and who healed many who were sick.
Excited, she returned home that afternoon and shared with her grandmother this great news about Jesus. She then prayed for her grandmother in Jesus’ name. The next day, her grandmother was feeling much better and was well enough to get out of bed and walk to our school to meet our staff and thank them for teaching her granddaughter about Jesus. What a wonderful example of God’s love. And you are a part of sharing God’s love!
Thank you so much for the impact that you are making on these precious children’s lives. You are making the world of a difference in the lives of orphans in South Sudan.
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by dianahom
One of the many things that I admire about the children of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is their resilience. These children face such hardship that no child should ever have to face, and yet, they still smile, they still dance and they press on. I’ve never met so many children who have the determination and hope to become “something”. These children ask for prayer to finish school so they can find a job after graduation that will help become self-sustainable and help their family and community.
Meet Bashilwango.
He’s 9 years old and attends our second grade class. At first glance, you would not think he is 9 years old. He’s short and small for his age, but, then again, I think most of the children in DRC are because of lack of nourishment in their little bodies. Bashilwango is one of 9 siblings, all ranging from 1 ½ to 19 years old. When I met him at our school, he was so shy and spoke softly. When I asked him questions, he looked to the ground and I could barely hear his answers.
Me: Do you like going to school?
(more…)
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December 30, 2011 by Micah
Students at the ELI school in Bukavu, DR Congo. (Photo: Micah Albert)
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