NEWSLETTER

JUNE 2, 2007

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MISSION

PO BOX 1328, HAVRE, MT 59501

Phone: 406-265-7337                Email: icm@pldtdsl.net

FIELD ADDRESS:

FAITH, HOPE and LOVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

RAJA TUPAS, ST., DAANGHARI

NAVOTAS, MM, PHILIPPINES1485

Navotas, Metro Manila

Philippines

June 2, 2007

Dear Friends in Christ,

The new school year is upon us in the Philippines.  Although public education is available to all Filipino children through high school, many drop out, especially among the poor.  The following graph from World Bank tells the story.

The GREEN LINE (Boys in the poorest 40% portion of the population) and the

 RED LINE (Girls in the  poorest 40% portion of the population) show that only about 20% of the boys and 40% of the girls finish grade 9.  Almost all of our members in all our churches are in this poorest 40% of the population. 

World Bank studies show that the main reasons for dropout is the inability of the parents to meet the hidden costs of education such as school supplies, uniforms, bags, shoes and school allowance. Many students leave school when their parents can no longer afford to pay for these hidden costs. 

This graph was made on the basis of 2003 statistics.  Economic conditions among the poor have worsened since then. 

 Once students drop out of school their chances of escaping the downward spiral of poverty is almost zero.  Out heart has been to help as many serious Christian  students as possible to stay in school.  Over the years we have helped several every year, but we have purposed in our hearts to expand to more this year.  Our plan.  This morning I met with nine or our most needy student and their parents to initiate our EXPANDED HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.   In it we agreed to help them buy initial school supplies, school bag, school uniform, and shoes, as well as provide a small weekly allowance for their daily expenses.  Over the school year, each student will receive an average of $170 in materials and allowances.

In addition to these nine high school students in Navotas, we are also committed to six more high school students in our church in Caramoan.  There are also two other high school students in Navotas that are not pictured, that we have been supporting for the last two years.  All those supported are actively involved in our churches and have made a commitment to Christian conduct.

Pictured here, left to right in the front with me: Rex, Nhelmar, Edgie, and Gemar.  In the back: Ernesto, Sherlyn, Jodelle, Rolando, and Gerry.   The other two Navotas students not pictured are Joab and Aries.  The six in Caramoan are Kherven, Christian, Eric, Antonio, Gary and Ronald.  Pictures of the other students will be included in future reports.  As you might imagine, there are plenty more qualified kids, but this is as far as I could imagine our current budget stretching right now. 

I took a step of faith this morning in committing support to these 17 kids.  Classes begin on Monday, June 4.  We have the money for the initial needs and allowances for this month.  I am just trusting that the Lord will touch peoples hearts to help us through the rest of the year. 

I will be giving REGULAR UPDATES on the progress of these 17 kids through the year.  As I told you in my last letter, we are not equipped to provide a one-to-one donor to student contact, but I would like to invite you to help us with these 17 as a group, plus any others we can add, if our budget expands.  If you desire to help, please send your donations to INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MISSION, P.O. Box 1328, Havre, MT 59501 and designate it for HIGH SCHOOL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 

Your support for these students and for all our ministry programs is very much needed and appreciated.  Thank you for your continued care and concern. 

In Christ,

Dale