November 02, 2009

November Newsletter





Etienne Tawong

New School Year Started
The new school year started in Cameroon the second week of September. The hundred and fifty plus students we chose now need our assistance in order for them to stay in school or to register at universities. People who would like to help them can choose one student (secondary/high school or university) or contribute more to send two, ten, twenty or thirty students to secondary/high school. Either choice will make a difference in the lives of these students.


News/Updates

On September 4th, Pavla sent $3,240 and on October 26th $2,700 to assist many students at the beginning of the school year. $1,250 out of the total was donated by One Ummah Foundation in Portland to support at least 34 students.

You can now donate to Educare-Africa using your credit card on line. Go to http://www.justgive.org/ and type in Educare Africa as your charity of choice and proceed from there. They give 100% of your donation to the group you choose.

Thanks to an angel by name Loyan Roylance, we now have a new flexible blog that replaced our older website.

Pavla has been invited to talk about Educare-Africa and her Peace Corps experience on the One Hour Hope TV show in Salem on November 14th.


Wish List

  • Digital video camera to document our activities especially in Cameroon

  • Stamps 44 & 98 cents

    What your $$ do for students
    $1 – 4 pens or about 20 pencils
    $15 – school uniform or school bag or school shoes
    $18 – scientific calculator
    $35 – secondary school fees or
    House rent for 10 months
    $40 – high school fees
    $45 – GCE exam registration fees
    $60 – secondary textbooks
    $80 – high school textbooks
    $350 – helps to register at a university (One year costs about $1,000.)
    These prices were calculated when the exchange rate was $1=460 CFA francs. Exchange rate fluctuates.

    Holiday Fundraising
    We are planning for our eighth Christmas giving Tree at the Heritage Mall in Albany from November 27th to December 27th. There will be envelopes with our mailing address and information cards.
    For the first time we are able to participate in the Gifts for the Better World store in Corvallis, at the First Congregational Church, 4515 SW West Hills Road. The store will be open from November 7th to November 29th. We will have greeting cards with Pavla’s photographs from Tanzania, 8x10 matted photographs, jewelry, dresses, CDs with African music and other items for sale. Pavla will also have a table at a Holiday Bazaar in Scio, Z Hall, 38704 Main Street on Friday and Saturday, November 20th and 21st.
    Pavla needs a volunteer (s), to help her unload the items and spend a few hours with her at the table. If you wish to volunteer, please, contact Pavla.

    Sponsoring students
    There are many ways we can assist the students. Interested individuals or groups can sponsor individual students and will receive letters from the student, updating them on her/his progress in school. Or, people can send monthly donations, which will accumulate to assist many students. Or, a donation can be made once a year, either for an individual student or to assist several students. It depends on what each donor prefers to do. Any donation is always greatly appreciated!

    Call for unique support
    One of Pavla’s former students, Etienne Tawong, won a 2010 green card lottery, which means he can come legally to the United States and go to school and work. He was always a very good and quiet student. After Etienne and his younger brother Bertrand lost both of their parents their grandfather was their only support. He died this June while Pavla was in Cameroon. This is a great opportunity for Etienne to change his life for the better so that eventually he will be able to assist many others. However, before Etienne can come, he needs a place to stay and someone to help him adjust to his new surroundings and provide minimal financial support. He will also need to live with this person. He will need the name and address of the person who offers support. The Consular Center will contact the person to confirm and show proof that he/she is financially able to accommodate Etienne. We are turning to you on behalf of Etienne and asking if you or someone you know could be that person and enable Etienne to come to the United States. Please, let Pavla know as soon as possible since he is compiling the necessary documents now.

    Other possibilities
    Remembering Educare-Africa in your last will is another way how to provide more support for the children in Cameroon. For more information you can contact Mike Reddy.
    Phone: (541) 485-6676;
    Email: mike.tiplace@gmail.com;
    Pavla is also looking for more opportunities for presentations to interested groups such as Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Zonta, Altrusa International, Women’s and Youth groups, leadership middle, high school or University classes, and other groups.

    Volunteers and ideas are always welcome and greatly appreciated!
    All donations are tax deductible.
    We will look forward to hear from you at the right time.

    Thank you all very much on behalf of the children in Cameroon for your continuing kind and generous support. It is appreciated tremendously!

    Have a richly blessed Holiday Season, filled with much joy & unconditional love.