New Targets

Kids just being kids at the 5 day retreat

Last year for the ten months leading up to our trip, the team did all we could to raise over £10,500 - the money required for the renovation and extension of Casa Semear. We raised well over target and the money was put to great use. Sadly these funds don't last forever and more is always needed. This year the Big Live Show will be the main public fundraising event. Originally I hadn't set a target and thought it best to just wait and see what could be raised. However, as mentioned in my last post I'll be attending a camp during my trip this year and recent emails from Robert have indicated that  currently there are insufficient funds for the camp to go ahead. The trip costs about R$3000 which is around £1000. So, I have set this as the target for the Big Live Show this year.

Team Building

Why is this camp so important? For many different reasons. Firstly, it's a great opportunity for the Casa Semear staff to build up better relationships with the children and have quality time together. It will create great memories that will bond friendships between the children and strengthen the unity already being created at Casa Semear. Secondly, for the children it's a major event. With many of their families living on or below the bread-line and struggling to provide for their basic daily needs, trips and holidays are inevitably rare or impossible. Many of children live in a favela house which has two rooms. For some there are up to 8 people living in one room. Life at home is cramped and busy. Many of the children have responsibility for siblings or parents and some actually suffer abusive relationships within the home. This five day camp will provide the opportunity for them to get a break from home and from the city. They will be able to play in wide open spaces together and have a rest from the crowdedness of the favela. It is a week where they are guaranteed three meals a day and a good night's sleep. For kids in Scotland if that's all they were  offered I doubt many of them would take it - but for these children it can be one of the most exciting and special weeks of their year. We want to make it possible. Start praying people!

*A special THANKYOU!  to the KBC Ladies Fellowship who kindly gifted me £50 this week.*