Dear sponsors and friends,

The first term has already come and gone at “our” school in Gleno. We have had reports of around 80 children enrolled across the whole school, and that it is very busy but going well.

The government is now requesting that all teachers study towards a Bachelor degree in Education, and two of the Garden of Hope staff have just enrolled for semester 1 at the local university – Clementina, the head of Kindy/Pre-primary and Lourdes, the leading teacher in the primary school.

Pastor Agostinho has finally been able to attend the graduation ceremony for his Bachelor in Agronomy, but he couldn’t take his certificate home as he is still slowly paying for the exorbitant graduation fee… It is hard to find work without the document, and it is hard to save up to pay for the document without work.

After taking care of our sponsorship program for 10 years, Sylvia and I have been joined by two enthusiastic young people – Nateeka and Jesse. Colleen Mugridge is still on board as a support person as well. We have begun regular meetings, set some goals and have sent encouraging messages to Gleno as a group. Nateeka will be our “on the ground” representative as she is returning to Timor Leste to live.

We did not go to Timor in January/February as in previous years, but Elke and Nateeka are going back next week – Nateeka to stay and Elke to visit and catch up with everyone in person. There will be more detailed news and new photos after her return close to the end of May.

We thank God for His provision and we thank you for your support and partnership. Please pray for Nateeka and Elke in particular as they embark on their journey.

Blessings,

Elke Graham

(Garden of Hope Sponsorship Publicity & Communication)

Here is a printable copy of this newsletter – Dear Sponsors and friends – 18.04.2018