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January 2008
Lift someone up…
Thanking and praising God for 2007…praying and trusting God for 2008!!
From the directors’ desk
- Happy New Year! I am really looking forward to seeing some of you again when I return to the UK for the mat-to-fore road show in January 2008. This will be an opportunity to raise awareness, thank supporters and share the focus for the year. The road show begins on Saturday 12th in London, then onto East/West midlands, Liverpool, Glasgow and back to London. I will attend 10 events over a 3-week period. For details contact Rev Cham Kaur Mann on 07886 633831.
Florence will remain in Ghana to oversee the project, care for the two children, aged 15 and 10 we have sponsored and start the nursery from our home.
March-April 2008 (exact dates to follow) is still set for the official inauguration of mat-to-fore to take place with local dignitaries, MP’s and church members. Feverish preparations have not begun, but this is only a matter of time! We look forward to sharing more about this in the next newsletter.
There has been further progress on the building work, which you will read about. Having had some time out for Christmas and the New Year, we return to mat-to-fore ready to see what God will do in and through us to transform lives. We can’t wait!
A BIG THANKS to our supporters. God richly bless you all. We send you lots of love and extend our appreciation. Osei and Florence
Village life
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Building – the roof is on! Pictures have been taken for the road show and these will be uploaded on the website in due course. This building will boast a pre-school (an outside area has been cleared for a playground), nursery/crèche and storeroom. It is currently used as a church.
Doors and windows will be added and the possibility of including a toilet and kitchen is being explored. An independent inspection of the building has yet to be made.
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Education – the District Education Office will be contacted for a teacher in due course. The children, who have no education, will attend the pre-school. Those with some formal education will attend the primary school.
Osei will be doing some preliminary work for a “Peer Tutoring System”, whereby some children are trained to pass on what they are learning to other children and so increase the availability of knowledge. He will be assessing children and choosing tutors for a pilot scheme in April 2008.
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Health – Old habits die-hard! Progress to install a more satisfactory toilet facility is slow. The chief is waiting for materials. Florence and I will donate sand for building the walls. We have found that at times natural toilet facilities are based around the building, which is difficult for us, particularly when we are meeting there for church services.
We recognise that in time these habits will change even though there is a reluctance to do so. Our aim is to educate the local people through seminars explaining the potential dangers of continuing with traditional practices whilst informing them of the benefits of doing things differently. In some instances individuals have been seriously ill. We have been able to provide medication, which is a great help.
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Transport – £1000 has been made available to purchase a truck for trips to and from the village. This is a much cheaper option than using the minibus, which is a gas-guzzler!
Meanwhile, in the UK…
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Charity registration – we are now incorporated and have a company number! The application has been submitted for charity status to the Charities Commission, hopefully there will be news on this soon. CRB checks have been received for most of the trustees, this is in line with our child policy, the details of which are still be finalised.
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Fundraising – our aim is to raise £25,000 in 2008. This sum will be used to run mat-to-fore; initiate some new projects e.g. Child sponsorship and volunteering. It will provide Osei and Florence with an income via gift aid and finance communications e.g. an upgraded the website.
Funds will be raised on a quarterly, with the first being the road show. Corporate sponsorship, events and appeals are some other ideas. We are looking for someone to take the responsibility for Fundraising…could it be you? Or perhaps someone you know? Contact our secretary, Audrey Barr via email - info@mattofore.org if this is of interest to you.
Prayer
- That the Lord grants wisdom in decision-making and that miracles would be witnessed as the love and power of God is demonstrated amongst the people of Kotei.
- For divine protection of all those involved i.e. spiritual, mental, physical, emotional and social.
- Osei and Florence: health check and healing. Material needs: they have no regular source of income. A computer, so that they can set up practical systems and be in communication.
- Directors, employees, trustees, volunteers and supporters – that they do the best they can with what they have.
- Clarity on the strategic focus and implementation. Connections with like minded people and access to resources for future growth, expansion and impact
In the next newsletter…
- An update on Charity registration (UK), strategic focus for the next 2/3 years, trustees roles and responsibilities. Volunteer opportunities. An overview of the accounts and financial position.
- Do you have any news, comments or questions? Email info@mattofore.org or post to mat-to-fore, BM 4204 London, WC1N 3XX.
Blessings to you all...
Registered Charity Number 1122803Registered Company Number 6420257 | NGO Number DSW/2476Copyright 2008 mat-to-fore. All rights reserved. Another PennInk Production.
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