Dear Friends and Family,
The continuing economic downturn has us all bracing for the worst. But one thing is for sure: people in developing nations will be hit the hardest. That’s why we are embarking on a fundraising project to build a school in Nicaragua. Guided by the experienced non-profit BuildOn, we are committed to raising $31,000–the total cost of construction of a two-room schoolhouse–by the end of this year. We hope you can help.
Our fundraising campaign is called the Mustardseed Schoolhouse Project and will entail raising individual donations as well as organizing fundraising events. To date we have raised $4,800 and plan to be at the $20,000 mark by mid-year. The school will be built in 2010.
The Mustardseed Schoolhouse Project’s partner, BuildOn, has built more than 285 schools in developing nations including Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Senegal. More than 110,000 children and adults have attended the schools, with 30,000 currently enrolled. Cumulatively, parents in developing countries have contributed more than 569,000 volunteer work days toward building the schools, which is how the bulk of the work gets done. BuildOn provides the materials and direction, the rest is up to the local community, and donors, if they like, to complete.
To encourage your contribution, the Mustardseed Schoolhouse Project offers two ways for donors to be recognized by name if we meet our $31,000 goal.One Lucky Donor – One lucky individual will be chosen at random from the names of all donors contributing $20 or more (before corporate matching). This donor will be recognized as a key donor on a plaque in one school room.
Visit the School. In addition, if you would like to visit the site or school at your own expense, you may join us on an Ambassador Trek. BuildOn encourages donors to help build the school by placing them with a local host family during construction. If you’re interested, talk to us or visit the BuildOn website at http://buildon.org/.
Donations by check may be mailed to:
P.O. Box 16741
Stamford, CT 069
In order to ensure that the Mustardseed Schoolhouse Project is credited, please reference our project with any gift you make to BuildOn.
Fundraising Events in 2009
Be on the lookout for fundraising events we will coordinate to raise money for the Mustardseed Schoolhouse Project. We hope they will be fun opportunities for people to connect with each other while learning about the project and the people it benefits.
With appreciation, thanks, and best wishes for a joyful new year,
Robert Pierce and Mira Schwirtz
Pierce Family Blog: bobandmira.blogspot.com