Coquitlam’s, Chantal Kasongo – founder of the Shiloh Place Orphanage Society – and her small group of local volunteers, are very excited and deeply grateful to have received a grant from Classrooms for Africa to build two additional classrooms at the Shiloh Place property in Lubumbashi, in the DRC Africa. “In January of this year, tuition–free education began for some 45 children in this very low-income neighbourhood”, Chantal said. “State schools, unlike SPO, require fees, uniforms and shoes these families simply cannot afford. Parents are eagerly awaiting the availability of more classroom space to register their children and, hopefully, make the numbers in each class smaller when new classes begin in September. Our task now is to fundraise for additional student desks ($60 each) and for two teachers’ desks ($250 each). As is traditional in many African countries, each student desk seats three students. The desks are made locally, supporting the economy of the school’s neighbourhood. These sturdy desks are pre-treated against termites and other destructive insects.”
Will you consider donating the cost of a student desk as a way to celebrate your Mother for Mothers Day this month – or to celebrate someone graduating this year? Cheques, payable to Umoja, with “for SPO desks” on the memo line, can be mailed to Shiloh Place Orphanage Society c/o #211 – 615 North Rd., Coquitlam V3J 1P1. Or online at www.umojaoperation.ca, select Shiloh Place Orphanage on the donations page. Please indicate your donation is for desks. Tax-deductible receipts are available for donations $25 or over. Smaller gifts are also very much appreciated – every dollar counts!
For details about SPO’s school and other work, contact shelaghag@shaw.ca or 604-415-9397. Thank you for thinking about the needs and dreams of children in the DRC, Africa while celebrating those you care about here.
By Shelagh Armour-Godbolt
