Clarification/Information

In the post of 03 Feb. 2011, I listed some of the new developments at the children home. Among the items was that of the digging of a water well and the picture of the well. Due to the different nationalities and hence language differencies of our readers, supporters and donors, I would like to clarify that a well is a shallow water hole, usually dug (excavated using manual labour, and is in most cases of a depth of upto 30 feet) and it's water is drawn out using manual methods. A water well is not a bore hole. A borehole is drilled using drilling rigs ( machinery and equipment, and can be more than 500 feet deep). Due to it's depth, it's water is pumped out using electric or mechanized pumps. At our farm, a donor had funded the small amount required to dig a water well, to be used temporarily for supplying water to the already functional green houses, while we waited for fundraising for the more expensive but effective borehole to be excavated.

I hope this clarification is understandable to all our friends. More inquiries are welcome via our email, (st.pauls.children@gmail.com)

Urgent Funds Appeal

• As I published earlier, the Children Home is facing a crisis on it's recurrent expenditure funding. We are currently behind schedule in the payment of salaries and electricity. We have also cut expenditure on normal program costs such as foods, clothing, electricity bill, travelling and medical supplies. Following are the reasons for this crisis.

1. From the end of last year (2010) a major donor who was funding the salaries for teachers ended his/her 3 year funding. This was a direct loss of funding.
2. In November last year(2010) we were required to demolish the rental houses that were generating about 200 euros per month. This was also a direct loss of income.
3. The prices of food have been going up since the last quarter of 2010 due to the current dry season. This directly affects our tight food budget.
4. Additional children (7) have joined secondary school bringing the number of high school students to 12. This is a direct increase in expenditure on school fees, travelling and uniform.
5. Since mid February, some additional 40 children have been hosted at our institute after their home was closed by the government. This is a direct stretching of our budget and resources.

It is for these various reasons that I am appealing, on behalf of the children of this institution, and with the resolution of our board, to all of our well wishers and supporters. We call upon you to come to our aid in whichever form. The management has identified several possible projects which will help plug the deficit. Despite our resourcefulness in creating various ways of generating income, the foregoing challenges have become in-surmountable and we look up to any and all our friends to come to our aid. Those in a position to assist may write to us via our email (st.pauls.children@gmail.com) so that we may engage on the various ways to tackle the challenges facing us. May God touch each and everyone of you in a special way. Be blessed.