InStepFoundation.com

Do primary students need sponsorship?
Primary school is free, but the child has to provide a uniform, including sweater and shoes, and buy notebooks and pens. $60 will sponsor a child completely for an entire year. This will buy them two uniforms (it can take a few days to get one washed and dried, depending on the weather), one sweater, two pair of shoes (growing feet and poor quality shoes usually means two pair over the course of the year), and all books, pens and other supplies they need. We have already identified a number of orphans who are currently not in school or won't be next year if they can't get the things they need.

What about high school sponsorship?
Secondary school (high school) is another story. It's not free. To provide all of the above mentioned plus school fees is about $200 per year. This year we actually had one student sponsored by one of you and we've kept close track of his progress. When we first looked into his situation his grades were suffering because he was in and out of school depending on the availability of fees. Also, he had a hard time staying motivated because he knew that it wasn't realistic to think he would ever be able to afford to complete secondary school. From the time his sponsor took over, his grades immediately shot up! He no longer had to worry about being sent home for lack of fees and could focus on his work. He now has hope and has been counselling with anyone who'll take the time to listen as he tries to decide what classes to take next year and dreams about his future. I know this all sounds very dramatic, but I'm telling you it's the facts.

2005 Summary
* You paid school fees for six secondary school students, even providing lamp oil for those who don?t have electricity so they can study at night.
* Assisted numerous primary school students with uniforms and school supplies.
* Sponsored one deaf student to attend a specialized boarding school for the deaf.

2006 Summary
The ministry has sponsored seventeen high school students with school fees, uniforms, books, etc.
Also provided a 30,000 liter water tank for the local high school so they can collect rain water instead of carrying water from the river which caused huge outbreaks of typhoid at the school.