Media Release For immediate use and until October 7, 2023. Issued Aug. 12, 2023
Contact/photos: Chantal Kasongo, founder, Shiloh Place Orphanage Society, 604-937- 5305, siloplace@gmail.com; Shelagh Armour-Godbolt, volunteer, Shiloh Place Orphanage Society 604-415-9397, shelaghag@shaw.ca. www.shilohplace.ca
“Good Fences Make Good Neighbours”
Poet Robert Frost suggested that “Good fences make good neighbours”. In the case of Shiloh Place (SPO) in the DRC, Africa, this will be true. Vandalism and trespassing have become a problem, threatening the security of the five classrooms, serving 256 girls and boys, as well as other buildings built over the last decade through fundraising by SPO volunteers and generous donors here and in the Congo (www.shilohplace.ca). Founder Chantal Kasongo says “We need to build a secure wall to fence the entire complex and maintain the integrity of the buildings and the items they house. This means buying bricks, sand, gravel and cement enough to enclose 26,500 metres of land. These local purchases and our local, experienced building team will contribute to the economy of this low –income neighbourhood in Lubumbashi, DRC. Donations of any size will help increase the safety of the site.” The fencing costs will include two secure gates – one for those on foot and a larger one for supply trucks and other large vehicles.
A bag of cement is $13.25, 100 bricks, $66.35, sand $18.60 a ton and gravel $20.00 a ton. Donations $25 or over can receive a tax-deductible receipt on request. Send gifts by e-transfer or PayPal to siloplace@gmail.com . Please include ’Shiloh Place wall’ in the message space. Cheques should be made out to UMOJA Operation Compassion Society and sent to Shiloh Place c/o 211-615 North Rd. Coquitlam V3J 1P1. Please put ‘Shiloh Place wall’ in the memo line of your cheque. Your gift, of any size, will truly make a difference and mean that, for Shiloh Place’s school, good fences do, indeed, ensure good neighbours. For more information about the work of SPO or our school in the DRC – Chantal siloplace@gmail.com , 604-937-5305; Shelagh 604-415-9397, shelaghag@shaw.ca or www.shilohplace.ca Thank you for caring about the safety and security needs of our students!
By Shelagh Armour-Godbolt.
