Thanks

Raising funds for the Honduras school building projects has been an education for me in more than one way. It is true, I have learned something about the conditions rural Hondurans face in attending school. I have learned something about how they construct buildings there. I expect that I will learn much more once I get there. But I have also learned a lot more about generosity. Both other people’s and my own.

Over the past several months, I have invited folks both from Beacon and others to contribute toward the cost of construction of two school buildings. One is a computer lab for a high school in memory of an old friend; one is a simple rural kindergarten. Many of you have responded with so much generosity, I am humbled. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity to stretch my horizons while helping others to improve their lives.

This experience of raising money has made me more generous, I think. I am much more aware of need around me, and I care more about it. For some years now, I have severely limited gift giving at Christmas. It seemed a bit pointless to give stuff to people who already have more than they need—and I didn’t know what they wanted anyway. This year, I have made a few small gifts to give. They say that I am thinking about them at least. Gifts are about both need and connection. I was seeing gifts as only filling needs; now I recognize that both giving and receiving gifts re-affirms the ties of affection and family.

My gift of time to World Accord and Programa de Reconstrucción Rural (PRR) in Honduras will also address both needs and connections. Building schools will allow students to gain an education; being there will allow me to connect with folks and a situation I would never have known otherwise.

Thank you.

Off to Honduras

An Invitation
to make a difference

Some people lay the blocks, some help pay for the blocks.
Together we lay a foundation

I invite you to participate in the education of rural Honduran children. I will be joining the Canadian not-for-profit, non-governmental development organization World Accord (www.worldaccord.org) this winter to help build schools. It works with a partner organization in Honduras to build very basic buildings for remote rural villages. The government will provide a teacher only if there is a school building. World Accord also builds kindergartens—so the older girls can continue their education instead of being tied to child care duties.

The folks there provide local knowledge and expertise and labour. We provide the funds for the construction materials and some labour. Together we build both a school and better connections between individual Canadians and Hondurans.

Each construction build costs a volunteer like me $3000. We are expected to raise funds to cover as much as possible. It breaks down like this:
$900 – Building materials
$900 – In-country expenses (room, board, transportation)
$1,100 – Airfare
$100 – Promotion
$3,000 The total for two builds is $4900

Fundraising is an education for me, as well as my family and my friends. I want to be able to tell you the stories about the struggle some people face to obtain a basic education, something we can take for granted. Education is the means to a better life, anywhere. I’m involved with two builds—a 4 room computer room for an already established high school, and a basic school as shown in the photos.

If you would like to say yes to this invitation, please make out your cheque—whatever amount you are called to give—to “World Accord” and mail it to me.
Katie Stein Sather
11395 205 Street
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 1S3

Thank you for whatever help you can send my way,
whether dollars or moral support or prayers.
Katie

A Latin American said to a North American seminarian,
“If you are here to save me, go home. If you are here to help me,
go home. If you are here because you know your salvation is tied to my pain, then we can work together.”