$590k to 11 Countries = our busiest 6 months ever!
The latest news on ARDF’s Development Projects
May 2022
In the past 6 months (since the last project update on November 1, 2021), ARDF has sent ARDF has sent more than $600,000 to projects in:
Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, Tanzania, USA
We also funded a project in an undisclosed country (due to security reasons).
Highlighted Project
Kenya: St. Andrew's High School for Boys
Since the beginning of the year, much progress has been made on the campus of St. Andrew’s High School for Boys. The fencing around the property has been completed - vital to keep out roaming animals as well as protecting the campus! The administrative block and the principal’s house are nearly complete, and the school expects to welcome its first students on May 10, 2022.
This progress has not been without challenges. A devastating drought along with local civil unrest are both causing distress to our friends in Northern Kenya. However, despite these formidable obstacles, the church continues to serve the community and is excited to bring hope through education to the boys who will attend St. Andrew’s. Please join us in praying for unity among the students, who will represent various tribes of the region.
Upon completion of St. Andrew’s, the church will begin to build a high school for girls.
Projects Nearing Completion
ARDF has sent final tranches of funding to several projects. This includes in Nigeria where the church is completing a community/conference center. ARDF funds have paid for the roof of this structure. In Myanmar, Holy Cross Seminary is expanding and the grand opening of the new facility is expected in June 2022.
New Projects
ARDF sent funds to Indonesia for the first phase of a new school outside of the town of Niki-Niki.
Also, the church in Nepal has received funds to purchase land where they will build a school. This will eliminate the need to continue renting a facility. In Nepal’s political climate, renting always carries the risk that landlords will come under pressure not to rent to Christians. The church having their own property reduces this risk.
Update from an Earlier Project: Brazil
While our model is to give a grant to promote sustainability, that does not mean that when the project is complete, the relationship is over. The House of Hope in Recife, Brazil, completed a large expansion during the pandemic. Finally, the children are back in class and recently had a heart-warming Easter celebration.
ARDF considers projects for late 2022
Initial applications for our 2022 grant cycle were due March 31, 2022, and we received more than forty submissions.
How do we decide which projects to fund? Each year we aim to fund projects from different regions and from a diverse mix of partners. However, when multiple applications are from the same country it can be difficult to decide which project should move forward. When this happens we turn to our Global Council members for guidance. These Archbishops offer their leadership in determining priorities for their region. This means that the grants that are eventually approved are all in line with the true needs of the local communities, as determined by the local church. We are grateful for these leaders who serve on our Global Council.