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Tag: girls education

February/March 2023 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
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The Gala is Almost Here!
Light of Hope’s amazing gala committee volunteers have been working hard to prepare an exciting night for you!
Last year our gala sold out – don’t wait to get your tickets!
LOHGala23.givesmart.com
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Welcome Kyle and Patricia
In February we had an awesome team come to Light of Hope! During their visit they were able to rescue two girls. Kyle is 6 years old, and she is the little sister of Tina and Falon who were rescued exactly 3 years earlier. They are so thankful to be reunited and Grandma is thankful for the safety and education that LOH is providing her three granddaughters. Patricia is just 4 years old. Her father was trying his best to support Patricia and her brother after the passing of their mom but unfortunately, he was not able to give her the care she needs. She is a sweet girl who is happy to have a belly full of nutritious food and new friends to play with.
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 Bigger Smiles All Around
20 girls at Light of Hope are smiling brighter and with more confidence after dental team, Eric and Rebecca, treated their brown teeth and made them white during their February visit. Instantly elevating their status according to Kenya standards. Thank you Eric and Rebecca!
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New STEM Classrooms – Progress!
New pictures! – The school is growing in attendance and the Kenyan government has recognized our good work. We have two new classrooms going up to teach STEM classes along with a laboratory for experiments.
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Calling All Twins Game Volunteers!
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Light of Hope is excited for this Minnesota Twins Game fundraising opportunity again this year and we would love to have you join us! Last year we raised over $7,000 and with your help we have the opportunity to double that! Please let Erin know if you are interested in serving again this year. Game dates TBD. office@lightofhopekenya.org
 
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Have you had a chance to shop at Art2Heart yet? They are an incredible ministry who have opened their arms to the girls at LOH through their nonprofit gift shop boutique. 100% of the profits go towards supporting nonprofits. Art2Heart 
Looking for Other Ways to Support LOH?
Does your employer have a matching program?

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December 2022/January 2023 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Happy New Year! Thank you for supporting Light of Hope in 2022!
There are many things to be excited about as we enter 2023, including several mission teams and families planning trips to Light of Hope. The girls could not be more excited to welcome new friends! If your family, friends, church family want to take a trip to visit the girls, please contact us anytime!
 
LOHGala23.givesmart.com

Welcome Abigail
5yr old Abigail was rescued by Light of Hope while Andrew, Jenny and Ava were visiting in January. She was welcomed with open arms by the girls and is enjoying getting to know her new home and school.

 

Have you had a chance to shop at Art2Heart yet? They are an incredible ministry who has opened their arms to the girls at LOH through their nonprofit gift shop boutique. 100% of the profits go towards supporting nonprofits. Restocking for the new season is happening now and they will reopen on February 1st. 
Art2Heart
 
New STEM Classrooms
The school is growing in attendance and the Kenyan government has recognized our good work. We have two new classrooms going up to teach STEM classes along with a laboratory for experiments.If you have access to lab equipment, we would love to hear from you as this exciting project keeps moving forward.


Calling All Twins Game Volunteers



Light of Hope is excited for this Minnesota Twins Game fundraising opportunity again this year and we would love to have you join us!Stay tuned for more information and game dates starting in May.
Looking for Other Ways to Support LOH?


Does your employer have a matching program?

October/November 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
   
Our Year End Campaign is almost here! Can you feel the excitement as the weather cools down and holiday plans begin to fill up the calendar? We are excited at Light of Hope too! This annual fundraiser is an opportunity for you to get those donations in before the year is over. It is an opportunity for Light of Hope to share with you the successes of the year with extra special emails, posts and even some videos made just for you from the girls.  This fundraiser kicks off during “Give to the Max” on November 17! 
Click Here to Donate
 
Thank You for Coming to Our Luncheon
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our annual fundraising luncheon to celebrate International Day of the Girl. We had 90 guests, yummy food, a wonderful guest speaker and the best time with friends!
 
Friends of Hope Letter Request


Over 70 girls at Light of Hope have Friends of Hope here in America. Each time Boni and Sandy travel back to LOH the girl’s excitement builds as they wait for their letters to be hand delivered. We are preparing for the next trip to LOH. Please start writing your letters and sending them in.
PO Box 41010, Plymouth, MN 55441
 
Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony
The little girls are moving up! We celebrated their accomplishment with a cap and gown ceremony. Aren’t they cute?!
 
Photo Contest – Vote Now!
We’ve entered the 2022 Annual Nonprofit Photo Contest, and your vote can help us win cash prizes!You can vote for our entry at https://cont.st/cusDtr_FmNDqBt?g=1 between now and 5:00 p.m. on November 20, 2022. Each person may vote once during the contest period.Thanks for your support!

 
The New and Improved Internet is up and running!


In July we held a golf tournament to help raise money for more reliable internet at Light of Hope. It is critical to growing the Coding and STEM classes. We raised $6,500 of the $7,000 goal. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make that happen.The next annual golf tournament fundraiser will be on July 15, 2023
 
Looking for Other Ways to Support LOH?


Does your employer have a Matching program?

Another fun way is to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls.

International Day of the Girl Luncheon

Posted on | by Erin Quinn

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Doors Open: 11:30 AM
Program Starts: 12:00 PM
Program Ends: 1:00 PM
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COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH
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The Hutton House – 10715 S. Shore Drive, Medicine Lake-
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RSVP by September 23 to idog2022@givesmart.com
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Special Guest Speaker: Rep. Dr. Patricia Mueller
        

August/September 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Join us for our annual celebration of International Day of the Girl! Bring Your Friends too!
Click Here to Register Yourself and Your Friends for Lunch!
 
Four Girls Rescued This Summer
Susan and Angel were rescued last month while we had a team visiting from Minnesota. These incredible girls are thriving!
Susan was rescued from poor living conditions where her grandparents could no longer care for her. Susan’s sister Joy came to LOH this past spring. The sisters are thrilled to be back together!
Angel is just four years old and was rescued from a safe house in Naivasha. She was abandoned by her alcoholic mother. No relatives can be found and no one has come looking for her. She is safe and smiling more each day with her new sisters at LOH.
In the beginning of September sisters Mary (10yrs) and Precious (2yrs) were rescued from Naivasha safe house. They were abandoned a year ago. Scared at first the girls are doing well and enjoying their new “sisters”!
 
School Improvements This Summer
Light of Hope received donations to complete the ceiling in the girls dorm, Ujisiri Hostel. Keeping it much warmer while they sleep. Did you know the temps in Kenya get down to 50 degrees at night? Also, a beautiful cross was made for the Wokovu Hall. 
The girls were blessed with new sporting equipment and an updated place to keep the helmets, cleats, jerseys, etc. Amazing what a little paint can do to a room! They are so excited!
 
Twins Games were a Successful Fundraiser
18 volunteers spent 5 nights with the Twins running concession stands this summer! It was a wonderful time to connect and share stories about travels to Light of Hope and our Friends of Hope.  During the 5 games we raised over $6,900!!! 
Thank you Mark and Anne B, Chuck W, Kent S, Boni and Sandy K, Rich and Suzy S, Gaylan K, Tom S, Wendy A, John and Pat W, Dave and Linda L, Dale and Susan F, Kim B for volunteering!
  Set it and Forget it A New Way to Donate to Your Favorite Nonprofit
This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls.

June/July 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
 4th Annual Golf Fundraiser – Sign Up Now
July 16, 2022 Registration at 7:00am – Shot Gun Start 8:00am – Lunch to Follow
Oak Glen Golf Course – Stillwater, Minnesota
We will be raising money for high-speed internet at the LOH school to aide in the STEM part of the girl’s education. Only 5 Foursomes Remaining –  Sign Up Here
 
 

Calling All Friend of Hope Letters
Your Friends of Hope in Kenya are excited to hear from you! We have 76 Friends in the program, and we would love to bring that many letters to put extra smiles on the faces of the girls.  All letters are needed by July 10. Please send your letters to our mailing address or reply to this email.
Light of Hope Kenya – PO Box 41010, Plymouth MN 55442
 Volunteer With Us at a Twins Game!
We had a blast fundraising at the Twin’s Game on June 25th! We served hamburgers, hotdogs and fries galore, plus learned how to pour beer like the pros. There are 4 more opportunities to join us this summer and the more people who volunteer with us the more money we make for Light of Hope.
Games: July 14 * Aug 1 * Aug 20 * Sept 10
Click Here to Check It Out!
 
Welcome Sheriz
Sheriz was rescued by Light of Hope in June and she will be joining the 3rd grade class. Sheriz comes from a single parent household with one brother. Her Mom is a casual laborer and struggled to make enough money to care for the children, making Sheriz feel like a burden. If you would like to support Sheriz through our Friend of Hope program, please reply to this email. Learn About the FOH Program Here
 
International Day of the Girl Luncheon – Save the Date
We need you! Sign Up Today to become a table host. Invite your friends to lunch and the opportunity to learn about the heart of Light of Hope Kenya and the beautiful girls who are the beneficiaries of a new life protected from the abuse and neglect of their world. 


 New Way to Donate and Save – Join Spave!
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

Special 2022 Gala Edition Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
Thank you to all who attended our20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala!
Celebrating our 20th Annual Gala was a big deal and we are grateful that so many of you were able to join us in person and online through the silent auction!
 Did we make our Gala fundraising goal?
The Gala raised $140,000! We are still $10,000 short of reaching our goal. If you would like to help us reach our goal please visit our website now and click donate.
https://lightofhopekenya.org/donate/
 We recorded the Gala for you to watch!
Our team recorded the Gala and uploaded it onto our YouTube channel. You have the opportunity to watch the full Gala. Embedded in the Gala video is Mary’s story. Mary came to Light of Hope in 2015 and is a Friend of Hope to Dave and Linda Lehman. Watch as they help Mary share her story of finding Refuge, Restoration and Redirection at Light of Hope.
Shine a Light of Hope Gala 2022Mary’s Hope Video
We Can Make a Difference Slideshow
 
Friends of Hope Program Update
We have just 4 girls who are waiting for a Friend of Hope! Before the Gala there were still 12 girls! If you are interested in becoming a friend to Joesphine, Annastaciah, Lucy, or Sera, please reply to this email. Becoming a Friend of Hope is a way to support one of the girls with a monthly/yearly donation, writing letters back and forth and prayer.
Friend of Hope Program

Josephine – 16yrs old


Annastaciah – 5yrs old


Lucy – 18yrs old


Sera – 18yrs old

Gala Pictures
Send us your Gala pictures, we would love to see them!
office@lightofhopekenya.org
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

April/May 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala – April 22, 2022
Registration at 5:30pm  –  Dinner and Program begin at 6:30pm
Gale Woods Farm  –  Minnetrista, Minnesota
The Gala is sold out, but we have started a waiting list.
If you want to be added to the list please email Erin Quinn at office@lightofhopekenya.org
 Online Silent Auction – You Don’t Want To Miss This!
The Silent Auction is all online this year and bidding begins on April 18th. Even if you can’t make the Gala in person you can still bid on amazing vacations, sporting events, household items, and tons of gift cards! Auction closes at 9pm sharp on April 22nd.
Browse the items here Silent Auction Items
Register Here To Start Bidding on April 18th 
 Meet our Diamond Level Gala Sponsors
Thank you to All Home Health and Atventure Retail Group for sponsoring our Gala!
 
Meet Joy
Joy was rescued by Light of Hope in March. She and her 7 siblings have been living with their Grandparents since their Mom passed away from HIV. The Grandparents are very poor and unable to provide and give her an education.
 
Boni and Sandy are back in Minnesota
Boni and Sandy are back in Minnesota after 3 months with the girls in Kenya. They had a wonderful time with the three teams who traveled to visit the girls. Each of these teams were able to rescue a girl during their visit. Nancy, Salome, and Joy. Plus there was lots of upkeep work happening around the campus. Boni and Sandy kept plenty busy! We are all so happy to have them back!
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls. 

February/March 2022 Newsletter

Posted on | by Erin Quinn
20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala
SAVE THE DATE for our 20th Annual Shine a Light of Hope Gala! April 22, 2022 
Registration at 5:30pm  –  Dinner and Program begin at 6:30pm
Gale Woods Farm  –  Minnetrista, Minnesota
 Light of Hope Visitors
January and February have been an exciting time at Light of Hope. Two groups of dear friends came to visit the girls and help with projects around the campus. The girls had a blast spending time with the groups. If you would like to schedule a trip, please reach out to us.
 New Swimming Requirements
The Kenya education system has put in place requirements that the children learn how to swim. Since learning to swim in the lakes isn’t safe with giant hippos and crocodiles, most Kenyans cannot swim. As you can imagine the girls love swimming at the local pool!
 
Meet Nancy
Nancy was rescued by Light of Hope in January from the Naivasha Safe House. She is a bright girl who has a great desire to be educated. Unfortunately, her mom kept her from school, forcing her to do house chores and take care of her younger brother. Her mom forbid her to go to school and punished her if she saw her doing any kind of school work. She went to the police when her mom abandoned her and and they brought her to the Safe house. Nancy is 13 years old and in first grade at Light of Hope. She is very eager and doing extra studies so that she can move up with girls her age. Nancy is so happy to be in school! If you would like to support her in her education please join our Friend of Hope program. More info here, https://lightofhopekenya.org/about-the-program/.
 
Meet Salome
Salome is a sweet 6 year old who was referred to Light of Hope. Her Mom is partially deaf and her Dad is paralyzed on one side. The children are living with their mom and the dad lives in another village. Her mom works when she can but is unable to provide for Salome and her siblings. Salome is excited to be at Light of Hope and to have a full belly and opportunity to change the cycle of poverty in her family by getting an education. If you would like to support Salome in her education, please join our Friends of Hope program. More info here https://lightofhopekenya.org/about-the-program/
 Help us by downloading the Spave App
Have you heard of the apps where you can round up your purchases and donate to a nonprofit? We have partnered with the top dog of these apps, SPAVE! This is a fun way to round up and donate to us during your weekly trip to the grocery store or going out to eat. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play. Check out SPAVE now and help us to usher in another way to support the girls.