Monday, November 8, 2010

Firm Foundation

It's time for another graduation at New Dawn School. On November 26, New Dawn will present 39 young people with diplomas. Saba, International commends them for their determination, endurance and hard work! We also commend the staff and leadership who have labored and prayed faithfully for five years to bring this day to pass. Pictured above are some of the students at last years graduation ceremony (dreaming of their own futures, perhaps?!)
Graduation is a good time to reflect back on the past, and forward to the future...
Nearly five years ago, New Dawn began operating its school in the borrowed space of this church.


Four years ago, New Dawn purchased this building in the village, and refitted it with a classroom and a library/computer lab. Three years ago they purchased another small building to house another classroom. As the school's student population grew, so did the need for space.




Two years ago, New Dawn was granted the right from a neighboring "old people's home" to build a proper school building, so that they could move toward the goal of operating on one campus. Because the village is "informal", New Dawn is not allowed to build permanent structures, and so they designed and built a school out of shipping containers! It's a remarkable feat of engineering, and truly came as a vision from God. The school now offers sufficient classroom space for its 160 students, but lacks a proper resource center, auditorium and science laboratories.


Over the past year, a vision for a second such structure has been put to paper, and the school has been working hard to acquire the additional shipping containers that it needs to build a three-story structure on the same campus.


The cost of this project is 9 million Kenyan Shillings, or about $120,000 USD. This cost is comprehensive, including the following and much more:
  • fabrication work: roofing, ceiling, delivery of the containers to the site, concrete work, installation, anti-theft doors, paint, etc.
  • auditorium: seating, flat-screen TV, P.A. system.
  • staff work room: desks, filing cabinets and a small kitchen
  • library: shelving, a circulation desk, and couches.
  • science laboratories: proper fittings for chemistry/physics lab and biology lab

Recently a donor came forward with $60,000, and New Dawn is looking for $60,000 in matching funds. The school would like to build in December with the hope it being completed when the new school year starts in January 2011.







$60,000 is a lot of money! This impossibly large amount of money can be raised up by a God who promises us his faithful presence, and has proved his mighty able-ness to New Dawn again and again. Saba, International longs to be a part of this project, and we are seeking partners to help us fund this work and pray it through to completion. Would you prayerfully consider how you can be a part of this tremendous building project....and let the word of the Lord instruct our hearts:
Command those who are rich to put their hope in God. He richly provides us with everything to enjoy. Command the rich to do what is good. Tell them to be rich in doing good things. They must give freely. They must be willing to share. In that way, they will put riches away for themselves. It will provide a firm basis for the next life. Then they will take hold of the life that really is life!--1 Timothy 6:17-19


checks can be written to : Saba, International

and mailed to: Saba, International, c/o Helen Kahl

10560 Blue Rock Road,

Mount Horeb, WI 53572

include in the memo line: New Dawn building project


If you prefer to use Pay Pal, please visit our website: http://www.sabainternational.org/

and follow the "donate today" link
Thank you for your partnership with New Dawn through Saba, International!
posted by Cathy Woller