Note from director:

AIDS has had a destructive impact across the world, especially Africa. While numerous lives have been destroyed, children are some of the hardest hit. Worldwide, over 6000 children are orphaned each day by AIDS.

AIDS leaves orphans without parental guidance and life’s basic physical needs. We believe that an education is not a luxury but a basic necessity. Without an education, students will have limited future employment opportunities as well as not have the fullest opportunity to develop their hearts, minds and spirits into healthy, balanced adults that are equipped to successfully journey through life.

Girls are especially disadvantaged when it comes to receiving an education since parents with limited resources choose to educate sons. In Kenya, illiteracy is 10% higher in females than males. Without an education, girls have few options other than marrying at a very young age or turning to prostitution—both of which often statistically end with HIV/AIDS.

Our program works to counter both the immediate effects of AIDS and poverty as well as seeks to transform lives with the hope that our sponsored girls do not make decisions that allow the cycle of suffering to claim a new generation.

—Chad Cooper, Director

In Kenya:

· The government provides education only through the eighth grade leaving the financial burden of a secondary education solely on individual parents, guardians or students.

· Because of HIV/AIDS, the life expectancy in Kenya is 46 years of age, which has contributed to over 650,000 “AIDS orphans.”

· In a society where orphans are often left without any guidance from parents, an education is one of the few ways to teach these students the skills to function successfully in life.

· 40% of Kenyans are unemployed and 57% live in poverty.

· With an average annual income of $350 per year and school fees for a secondary school education costing around $330 per year, receiving an education is impossible for many students.

For $27.50 per month you can:

· Provide a student with tuition for 1 year of high school

· Provide a student with a safe place to live

· Provide a student with warm meals each day at school

· Provide a student with a nurturing environment

· Provide a student with the opportunity to learn about the Bible and God’s love

· Provide a student with hope!

Other opportunities to touch a life:

· Write your student regularly so that you can get to know her.

· Pray for your student daily so that you can be spiritually connected with her.

· Send cards and pictures of you and your family so that you can share your life with her.

· Travel to Kenya on our group mission trip so that you can personally meet her.

"Let me confess that I feel honored to be a part of your life because since we met my life has changed completely. Thanks be to the living God. I [am] happy to know that somebody somewhere cares.”

—Jackline

Excerpts from letters to her sponsors

Our vision is to lead Kenyan girls to healthy, sustainable life by aiding in their education, spiritual growth and emotional support.

To truly impact the world for God, sponsor a student by contacting:

One Life

onelife@gracepointbaptistchurch.com