The children had a Christmas party and are very happy! Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for all that you do year round for these beautiful children!
Check out this video update to see the progress on the ground for the new boys dormitory!
So many of the children passed their exams! Thank you to all of our sponsors for your prayers and support preparing the children for this important moment! We are all filled with joy as we celebrate this moment with them!
We mourn the loss of our dear friend and newest board member Joan O’Neil. Her friends called her Joanie and the term of endearment brings her vibrant energy, deep faith and sweet demeanor to mind.
Joan was beautiful inside and out.
Joan pictured left, with Julia and Symon to her right at the last Orphan’s Dream Fundraiser.
Joan pictured left, with Julia to her right at the last Orphan’s Dream Fundraiser.
We honor and remember Joan O’Neil, a recent addition to An Orphan’s Dream Board and a deeply faithful and inspiring woman. Joan was excited about the cause and committed to supporting it. In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family recommended contributions to and Orphan’s Dream instead. All donations in Joan’s memory will be matched 100% up to $5,000 total.
Please find a letter from our President, Symon Maringa, below:
It is very sad and shocking to lose Joan, one of the newest members of our board, so suddenly.
Joanie was very enthusiastic right from the moment she was introduced to us. She was overflowing with ideas for us to expand our support base. and we looked forward to a great future working with her. She defied all odds to attend our meetings, virtual or in person and contributed to our discussions immensely, intelligently and passionately.
To her family we send our deepest sympathy and condolences.
It's our prayer God will rest Joanie's soul in eternal peace and grant her family fortitude to bear the loss with hope and confidence in God's embrace.
To all who have been touched by the passing on of Joanie who in a very short time was a dependable friend, May God be your Peace and Comfort.
Yours Sincerely,
Symon Maringa
Check out this video which features Oasis children helping on their farm. The farm at Oasis is chock full of learning opportunities for the children and provides nourishment for them as well! Farming is a good trade for those who chose it and also the more sovereignty Oasis has the better, from an economics and convenience perspective!
We are very excited to share that we have 11 candidates for national exams this month! These exams are crucial in that a child cannot attend high school unless they pass the exams.
Learn more about the Kenyan educational system and the importance of these exams >
Oasis of Peace has 11 grade 8 candidates for March 2022. From left to right: Anne, Priscilla, Euphraith, Esther, Marion, Purity, Benson, Mark, Horston, Alex and David. In the picture you see them joyfully displaying their success cards. They started their national exams this month.
Paul leads the children in prayer for their strength and successful outcomes for the exams. Please join us in praying for their academic and future success, and the learning and development for all displaced children around the world.
A Letter from Our Director in Kenya:
Dear Community,
Warm regards from the Oasis family. I trust you are getting on well in America.
It’s with great pleasure I express our gratitude for your love, kindness and support that you have always given to us. The children, staff, my family and I are all well and praising the Lord for His sufficient grace.
All the kids have been in school for their first term which is ending today September 29th then they will close for one week as they prepare for 2nd term. We thank God for protection and care throughout the term. Linda will be starting her 2nd year of university in a few days after successfully completing her first year. Risper just got home for a short holiday and will be starting her third semester in two weeks. Trevor finished his coursework at the heavy machine school and he is preparing for his final exams. Kelvin has just completed his first term in high school. He is so excited to share the secondary school experience with the young ones. They are looking at him as their role model. Wincate, Annastasia and Joyce are all doing well in high school.
We are also delighted to inform you that we have admitted two Orphaned brothers Boniface and Stephen. Boniface is 9 years old and in grade 4 while Stephen is 11 years old and in grade 6. They are such good and handsome boys who have really suffered and struggled to get food and education since their single mother died in 2017. They have two other brothers, Patrick who is 20 years old and Peter who is in high school. They have been living under the care of their poor grandparents.
Below you will find photos of Boniface and Stephen when we visited their grandparents home with my wife Diana. Boniface is in a blue T-shirt and Stephen is in yellow T-shirt. Other photos are taken at Oasis the day of admission and also mum Salome welcoming them to their new home with a bed. In the pictures you will see them so excited to get their own bed and a closet. We have also included a video where you can get to meet them better.
We pray that they will be sponsored and develop a long lasting relationship with their American family.
Please consider sponsoring Stephen and Boniface and share the good news with your friends and family!
Look at how God is using you to touch the lives of the needy children. May God bless you, all our donors and sponsors.
Thank you,
Paul
Everyone is very excited at Oasis of Peace where a beautiful and very reliable used truck was purchased to transport everyone where they need to go! We were able to fund the purchase of the truck with proceeds from the recent fundraiser and the contributions of some generous donors as well. You can see that the children are very happy with this new development at Oasis.
We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this happen!
Thank you to all who joined us for the 2021 fundraiser! Everyone was filled with joy to be out with one another celebrating life and supporting a wonderful cause! We raised funds toward the building of a boys dormitory and the purchase of a truck for reliable transportation. We also got new sponsors for 3 children!
We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity. Please enjoy these photos from the event!
Paul and the children offer an update and heartfelt thank you for sponsors, donors, and friends in America.
Event Details:
Join us Saturday, June 12th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM at the Quincy Yacht Club for fun conversation, food, and dancing, all to support a great cause.
Indoor & Outdoor Seating (Weather Permitting)
Refreshments Provided & Cash Bar Available
Raffle & Silent Auction
Music & Dancing
Location: 1310 Sea Street in Quincy, MA
Tickets: $20 each - Purchase online or through a board member.
We hope to see you there!
Donations towards the van and dormitory will be matched up to $10,000.
Special donations toward the building of a new boys dormitory and the purchase of a vehicle for transportation will be gathered at the event and online and matched up to $10,000 through Saturday June 12th!
Opening up a world of enrichment for the children. Learn more about the van and how you can contribute to it!
$1,000.00
Donate Towards the Boys Dormitory
Building the foundation for a solid future, brick by brick. Learn more about the boys dormitory and how you can contribute to it!
$1,000.00
Thank you for your Support!
If you are unable to join us, please consider sponsoring a child, making a recurring donation, or making a one time donation. We thank you for your support!
This song was recorded when the children were out of school for almost 1 year due to the Covid lockdown in Kenya in order to ease the stress and pressure of staying in an enclosure. The general manager of Oasis of Peace, Paul Maringa decided to engage them in something new, exciting and joyful. How good and pleasant it is when we live together in Unity!