Bringing hope, changing children's lives:
Making a difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children,
one child at a time, community by community.
We also have some wonderful things coming up that I hope will make you feel excited about the rest of the year as part of the Graceworks family. First, we are happy to announce that there will be a group of Graceworks supporters from the United States going to Kenya this summer to help with the annual week long camp for the children in the village of Rwika. In addition to the camp, the group also hopes to help set up the library from the books that we shipped there recently and to take part in some other community activities such as helping at the local medical/dental clinic and conducting visits to the homes of the children and their caregivers around the village. Second, we would like to let all of you know that Graceworks will be holding its Third Annual Fundraiser Dinner this fall on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the city of Anaheim, California. Those of you who have attended our fundraiser dinners before know just how much fun they are. For the event this year, we have some wonderful entertainment as well as a surprise guest speaker lined up so please save the date, tell your friends and prepare to come and be well fed and have a fantastic time, all for a great cause--the transformation of one rural African community-- because of your support.
As I said earlier, there are many amazing things happening all around us if we only take the time to stop and take notice. For me, the most amazing thing of all is the realization that each and every one of us can make a difference if we choose to do so. My hope and prayer for you for this new decade is that you will choose to continue making a difference by supporting Graceworks in order to bring hope and change children’s lives.
In December 2009, treated mosquito nets were distributed to every child served through the Graceworks program in the village of Rwika, Kenya. The funds to purchase the mosquito nets were donated by the Bethel Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Diego through their Women’s Missionary Society. The children were all delighted to receive the mosquito nets which will help protect them from contracting malaria, a disease that kills thousands of children in Sub-Saharan Africa every year. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to our friends at the AME Church San Diego for their generosity.
The Third Annual Graceworks Camp will take place this year during the August school holidays. The dates of the camp are August 2-6. As in past years, the camp this year will be attended not only by the orphaned children served by Graceworks, but will also include other children from the Rwika community. This inclusion helps reduce stigma for the orphans and improves the integration and acceptance of HIV/AIDS orphans by the community. During the camp, the children spend time at the Graceworks facilities in the village of Rwika and take part in fun activities including sports such as football (soccer) for the boys and netball (basketball) for the girls, counseling, arts and crafts, bible study, traditional dancing competitions, poetry recitals and watching movies. While at camp, the children are usually provided with two meals per day as well as snacks in between. The children attending the camp also receive a camp T- Shirt and if available, backpacks and school supplies to take home with them. This year over 200 children are expected to attend the camp. If you would like to make a donation to support the camp, please send your contribution to Graceworks.
We continue to need sponsors for many of our children. Sponsorship ensures that a child will receive assistance in a more consistent basis. Sponsorship also allows you to have a more personalized relationship with a child you choose. You will be able to write to and receive letters from your child, and may even choose to visit the child sometime in the future. If you wish to sponsor a child, please contact us: info@graceworksproject.org
Graceworks Wishlist- Storage Space Needed!
Graceworks continues to be in dire need of storage space for donated items that we ship to the Kenya program. If you have or know anyone who has storage space that they would be willing to donate, please contact us at info@graceworksproject.org
