Fundraising Update

Hi Everyone!

Great news... thanks to all of your help I have raised a total of $4,460 for my Kenya trip. Here is how it will break down.

$1,000 raised for Shining Hope For Communities and The Kibera School for Girls.

$3500 to pay for my travel, lodging, some food and camp expenses for Ecclesia's trip to Kenya, working with Homecare Fellowship and Ghetto Light Youth.

Here is what I still need to accomplish:

$787 for a month's lodging at a guest house in Nairobi while I am working at The Kibera School for Girls. (This is not tax-deductible, but if you are interested in supporting me in this area just let me know!)

$7,000-$10,000 for MEDICAL supplies, SCHOOL supplies and CLOTHING for the children of Homecare Fellowship who are in great need.

To DONATE visit: www.churchinhollywood.com/kenya and select "Paige Smith" under team member.

Thank you all for your support and prayers! These kids are counting down to our arrival, let's make this a year they never forget. Spread the word and make a difference! Every little bit helps!

The Kibera School for Girls

More great news to share with you all. I have been officially accepted into the Summer Institute at Shining Hope for Communities! This means that I will be spending over two months in Kenya this summer.

My first month will be spent with Shining Hope at The Kibera School for Girls, tutoring, mentoring and teaching. The Kibera School for Girls is the first tuition-free, all girls school within Kibera. KSG has worked with an education specialist to come up with a curriculum designed specifically for these bright young girls who are at great risk for abuse and starvation. KSG uses a hands on and creative approach to nurture a love of learning.

Shining Hope has been an organization I have been watching and admiring for over a year now. I could not be more thrilled at the opportunity to work with them this summer. In addition to the school SHOFOC has created a community center with library and computer lab, a microfinance program, a clean water initiative, a sustainable garden to help support families in the community, and a recently opened medical clinic. The girls at KSG benefit from all of these programs. Shining Hope oversees their medical, nutritional, educational and mental health care. In essence the girls that attend KSG now have a team of advocates in their corner.

For more information on how to donate to my journey or help spread the word please see the links on the right side of this web page.

Thank you for your continued support!