Project Report
| Jan 17, 2013
School Begins Again
By Tom Arsenault | Overseas Project Manager
Classes are just back in now in Zimbabwe as the new school year begins. It’s summer time in Zimbabwe so the weather is hot and rainy – just the opposite of here in the US.
Final selection of the most deserving girls to be assisted with their school fees is underway at St. Dominic’s Girls High School in Mutare. ASAP has $2150 that has been raised for this year’s group thanks to people like you.
Some of the deserving girls may be able to afford part of their fees so ASAP would fund the balance. Some deserving girls cannot afford anything and would be assisted accordingly.
Once we have the girls’ names and photos we will post an update. Thank you again for your kind generosity and ongoing support of ASAP and these girls.
Oct 25, 2012
It's Crunch Time
By Tom Arsenault | Overseas Program Manager
It’s getting close to the end of October. That means Harvest festivals and Halloween here in the US. In Zimbabwe it is the onset of the rains, time to plow, prepare for planting – and prepare for final exams! Exams are written in late November and December. They determine whether or not students continue on to the next grade. For Grade 7 children, their exams at this last year of Primary School will determine which Secondary School they are qualified to attend.
Being able to attend school, something we take for granted here in the US, is a life changing opportunity for a young girl in Africa. Studies show that girls that attend Secondary School have a greatly reduced risk of contracting HIV-AIDS and are often able to stay out of abusive situations. The more you contribute, the more girls ASAP will be able to help in the coming year. The money you generously donated will have a huge impact on the life of a child in Zimbabwe.
At the end of December, ASAP will select the new girls to be funded for all three terms of the 2013 school year. The need is great. The number of students ASAP can assist depends on your donations. We will select the most deserving girls and look forward to sharing information about each of these fortunate children in January. Please continue to give generously! Thank you again.
Aug 8, 2012
August Winds
By Tom Arsenault | Overseas Program Manager
The third term of school begins shortly In Zimbabwe, the days are starting to get a little warmer after the short winter season and the August winds begin to blow. This is the term when crops are planted but not usually until October. Students return to class, including the girls that are funded by ASAP and your generous donations. They all know that there will be work in the fields later in the year; first preparing to plant and then actual planting crops.
But first it’s time to work hard studying and learning in class. This third term is important because of the end of year exams that come around to decide who goes on to the next grade. There are also the big exams for the fourth year students to decide who will qualify for grade 5 and 6, which are required to qualify for university. So this is a much more serious term and involves a lot of hard work on the their part.
At the end of this year, the girls are selected that will be funded for the next year. Girls are chosen that are serious about their classes and do not have the ability to pay the whole amount of the school fees. Besides the learning aspects of school, these girls also enjoy the comradeship of their fellow students and the improved safety of the school environment where there is a much lower chance of getting pregnant or contracting HIV.
Thank you for donating what you can for this cause. The amount you give may not be a big deal for you. But to help a young girl serious about learning, with her school fees, is a really big deal to her!