Updates: Operational Support and Special Projects
* Courtesy of Wix
This page provides update on recent special projects (marked SP) and support for general operation (GO) provided to address orphanage and school needs.
SP Rebuilding Campaign: September 2023
Continuing AKROS supporters are aware that the orphanage experienced an accidental fire in May 2022. Until recently the reconstruction was at a standstill due to lack of funds to pay for supplies. During the week of September 3, 2023, significant progress has been made on reconstructing the remaining classrooms and office. While school was in session, children met together in the existing rooms until the construction was complete.
AKROS school officials were able to persuade the supplier to resume delivering the needed lumber and other construction supplies, so the school would avoid being penalized by the provincial government for not having all the construction completed. Future plans include constructing a kitchen suite (room) separate from the existing structures. The food is presently prepared outside.
Your help is still needed more than ever to pay for the delivered supplies. The campaign initiated in the summer of 2022 has raised to date $3,070.02 or about 20% of the estimated $15,761 to rebuild. Visit our Donorbox page here.
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The three images above show the progress of the rebuilding, including the stacks of newly supplied lumber, the framing of the two classrooms and office, and the nearly completed construction. The video below shows the the nailing of the metal sheets for roofing.
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SP Registration and Authorization: June 2023
The provincial governor and the division of the Ministry of Justice and Keeper of the Seals in the DRC province of South Kivu has granted AKROS-DRC authorization and a registration certificate. This important development allows the orphanage and school to operate legally in the province and officially open a bank account in the orphanage’s name.
A special note of appreciation is extended to the generous donors who helped raise the $1,500 USD needed for this authorization and registration. Future donations will go toward the next phase of securing DRC federal authorization and registration. Please help us reach this additional goal by donating through our Donorbox page here.
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SP Rebuilding Campaign: February 2023
The rebuilding campaign is currently at a standstill until further funds can be raised to pay the supplier for the materials for rebuilding. As of February 15, 2023, the campaign has raised $3,070.02 or about 20% of the estimated $15,761 USD needed to rebuild the orphanage and its primary classrooms.
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SP Rebuilding Campaign: September 2022
The campaign to rebuild the orphanage and its school after the May fire (see original story here) has raised $1,700.95 as of September 1. This figure amounts to about 10% of the estimated $15,761 USD needed to rebuild. The funds received to date from generous contributors have been used as an advance to purchase lumber (planks) to begin the reconstruction, including the framing of the three buildings required to house the six primary classrooms and an office (see pictures/videos below).
The next construction phase includes covering the buildings with metal sheets (see original estimate here). The timing of this phase is vital because the orphanage's school is already behind the governmental requirements to offer primary, secondary, and technical education to the vulnerable orphans served by the orphanage. Funds are needed to continue the reconstruction and to pay the contractor, who has graciously accepted the $1,700 as an advance to begin the project. Please click here to help us meet our fundraising goal and to open the school.
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Once the three buildings have been completed, the project will continue with the building of a kitchen to prepare food for these vulnerable orphans.
Image above: The truck arrives carrying the lumber for the initial phase of the rebuilding of the orphanage and its school; videos (at right) show the excavated site and lumber being unloaded for construction.
Middle row, left image: The side of the framed building that houses the school. Right image: The construction engineer (left) and orphanage coordinator Rev. Dn. Munembwe Mukamba Damas (right) stand near the newly framed building to show the scope of the rebuilding project.
Bottom row, left image: The second building that will house two primary classrooms. Middle image: The framing for the third building that houses two primary classrooms and the office. Video (at right) shows the entire scope of the construction, including all the work completed to date on all three buildings.
SP Emergency Medical Care: March 2022
The orphanage was in need of emergency medical supplies and care due to malnutrition, typhoid fever, and worms. A total of $793.00 USD was requested. A total of $100.00 USD was raised, enough to purchase several boxes of dewormer.
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SP Christmas Meal: December 2021
A request was announced in mid-December 2021 to raise $659.00 USD for a special Christmas meal for the orphans, consisting of rice, beans, meat, and sweets. A total of $100.00 USD was raised for this special meal that allowed the orphanage to purchase some of the supplies for the meal.
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SP Toilet Repair: November 2021
A special request was announced to raise $195.00 USD to repair the orphanage toilet, including funds for boards (10), tarpaulins (6), sheets (4), nails, and transportation/labor for the project. A total of $195.00 USD was raised for this project (see before and after pictures below).
State of toilet facility (before)
State of toilet facility (after)