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July 1986 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 14, Issue 7 July, 1986
(PHOTO)
A student who receives a scholarship from stateside churches.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Our Christian day school is operated much like one would be managed in the States. It is basically self-supporting with the students paying the expenses through their tuition. We occasionally provide for one time expenses such as desks or classrooms. I have taught English on a volunteer basis. But the main financial burden falls on the parents of the students. That is difficult enough in the States. But here it is even harder where people often have trouble feeding themselves. As a help to these people we have begun to offer a scholarship fund. We presented this idea in the States while we were there. We received a total 6 scholarships. Because of a favorable exchange rate, we were able to stretch this into 12 full scholarships.
This was very fortunate because of the large number of children that are not able to go to school in this country. Two of the kids belong to a family that had been run off of their farm by guerrillas. They had to leave everything behind. Arriving in Villavicencio with absolutely nothing, food and shelter were first on their priority list. Schooling was not even being considered because of the precarious nature of their existence. We immediately offered them a full scholarship for all of their kids, thanks to your generosity. Other kids have stories less dramatic. Some had been abandoned by one of their parents. The remaining parent could not afford luxuries such as education. "Others came from a family where the father's salary simply could not support such a large family. Whatever the reason, there are twelve happy children who are able to go to school, thanks to some generous but unknown American friends.
But even though this is intended to be a "Thank-you" note to those who have helped there are many children who would have liked to have studied, but who could not. There were not scholarships available for all of them. Nor would we have had classrooms. If you would like to help educate a poor Colombian child, the cost of a full scholarship is only $10 per month, or $120 per year. Any funds should be sent clearly marked as for the scholarship fund. This helps us avoid inadvertently mixing these funds with our regular operating funds. Perhaps together we can greatly increase the number of happy children in our Christian Day School.
WORK CREW REMINDER
Time continues to pass quickly and we continue to formulate the plans for the 1987 work crew. It still appears that we will be building the sanctuary at the Church building-Christian center in Bogota. This will be a 40' by 40' building in back lot of the house we purchased in December. At the present time, we will just build the sanctuary. But we plan to put in foundations for going on up with the second story at a later date.
There will be some time for sight-seeing and we are planning a couple side trips. One might be to the town of Armero, where 23,000 people were buried by the Volcano last October.
As with previous work crews, women will be welcome. While conditions are not that great, they are no worse than those that might be found while camping. They will be free to choose their work, whether that be cooking or mixing concrete.
If you have any interest in coming, please send in the coupon below as soon as possible. You will begin receiving the work crew newsletter which will update you on definite plans and expenses. There is no obligation involved with sending in the coupon. It will simply provide you with more information. Write today so that we know of your interest.