July 11, 2006
A Special Message from David Nichols in Charlotte:
July 11, 2006
Dear friend of Bayonnais,
OFCB Ministries has had increasing difficulty this school year keeping their
heads above water financially. They are blessed with a great success in pursuing
their goal of improving lives in Bayonnais through education, including college.
Their long-term goal is to be self-sufficient, but that is cold comfort at the
present time.
OFCB is having trouble meeting the $7,200 monthly payroll. This covers teachers, cooks, cleaners, watchmen and administration. Recently, the balance has been covered from the US on an emergency basis.
The shortfall has been aggravated by a recent strengthening in the exchange ratio of H$ to US$ by 5-10%, requiring more contributions of US$ to have the same effect in Haiti. It is hoped that prices of food and fuel will reflect the change, but that will take more time.
Most of the 20 college students continue studies through July, so currently there is another round of expenses to keep them housed, fed, paying tuition and buying books (which are also expensive in Haiti). The four students in Cap-Haitien have much lower expenses than those in PAP. The seven new students in PAP got scholarships of 50% reductions in tuition. We have a few regular contributor/sponsors for some of the college students, but more sponsors are needed. These students are the foundation of improvements in agriculture, education, business and medicine in the mountains and valleys of Bayonnais. The improvements will be massive, but they need our help.
The school enrollment continues to grow, but they may have to limit enrollment for the first time. We and OFCB are going to launch a well-organized campaign to greatly increase and maintain the sponsorship program. This continues to be the base of support for the school. OFCB is going to hire one or more English speaking upper high school students to consistently update information, add new available students to sponsor, maintain records, send pictures and organize students to write letters to their sponsors. We have new pictures of over 90% of the current 100 students being sponsored and have sent them out. New, improved information sheets will be sent over the next few months.
What can you do? Only you can answer this question.
You could make a one-time donation to help OFCB catch up.
You could pledge a regular monthly amount of support (and get SMPC to draft it from your bank, if you wish).
Consider sponsoring an OFCB student, if you aren't doing that now. The school sponsoring program is $30/month. Some people sponsor more than one.
Consider sponsoring a college student. The annual cost for a college student averages about $3,300, and ranges from $2,500 to $4,500 (upper end for the medical students). This is the all-in figure including tuition, housing, food, transportation, books and other costs. Believe me, there are no frills! Sponsoring a college student is especially satisfying. Through e-mail, you can really learn about their life and get to know your student. Also, in a few years, you will see the fruits of your support when they return to Bayonnais! The college students are all under contract to work for OFCB in Bayonnais.
Various arrangements can be used. One college student has been sponsored for the past 3 years by a group of 4 women. Any group could sponsor one.
All donations are qualified for tax deductibility and will be documented for tax purposes.
If you are part of a church, would it be a good idea to expose your congregation to the thought of sponsoring? A kit could be furnished if needed, or some of us involved with the sponsoring program at SMPC could visit if you are in the Carolinas.
David Nichols, Chairman
SMPC Missions Committee
South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church
8601 Bryant Farms Road
Charlotte NC 28277
704 544-0404