In October we got an exciting email from Open Doors about what they have decided to do with all the money you donated. When I received the email I was gearing up for a little Antarctica Reunion in Ireland and once I got back my mind was on other things. So as I fly back after two fun filled weeks in Thunder Bay I am finally getting around to writing this. I apologize for the delay.
The Open Doors Board of Governors met to discuss what to do with all the Running Antarctica for Open Doors money. They had two priorities. The first was to put the money towards projects that will generate income and the second was to pay off some debt. Paying off the debt might not be the most exciting thing to read about but it will definitely help Open Doors get a sound financial footing! Here are 6 projects that your generous donations are going towards.
1. They bought two new laptops. These will help them with everyday functioning.
The Open Doors Board of Governors met to discuss what to do with all the Running Antarctica for Open Doors money. They had two priorities. The first was to put the money towards projects that will generate income and the second was to pay off some debt. Paying off the debt might not be the most exciting thing to read about but it will definitely help Open Doors get a sound financial footing! Here are 6 projects that your generous donations are going towards.
1. They bought two new laptops. These will help them with everyday functioning.
2. They completed their fish pond and bought 300 fish and fish food!! They will use this in their vocational training to teach the students how to farm fish. They were hoping to start marketing the fish by Christmas. We will follow up and see if they were able to meet that goal! (They are also going to start raising chicken for the same purpose thanks to a grant they received to build a poultry house).
3. In the dry season they often run out of water so they are putting money towards a borehole. This will give them enough water year round for the school and their fish farm. It will also generate income because they will be able to sell water.
4. They are going to put cupboards in the speech therapy room. Right now all the equipment is just in crates on the floor so the cupboards will keep it safe and secure.
5. Rachel and I both helped lift wheelchairs in a out of the classrooms when we were there because there were only steps leading up into them. But not for long. They are finally going to be able to build wheelchair ramps to make the classrooms accessible to all the children!
5. Rachel and I both helped lift wheelchairs in a out of the classrooms when we were there because there were only steps leading up into them. But not for long. They are finally going to be able to build wheelchair ramps to make the classrooms accessible to all the children!
6. The final thing that the money is going to go towards is to raise the security wall around the centre. This is going to increase the general security of the centre as well as prevent their eggs and chickens from getting stolen once their poultry project takes off.
It is so exciting thinking about about all these exciting “penguin projects” happening at Open Doors thanks to you! We will keep you posted with after pictures as they come to us. My heart aches to go back and see it all in action! Maybe I can convince the pilot to make a detour…