HIGH SCHOOL OPENS AT KAJIADO
T
he Kajiado Adventist School and Rescue Center in Kenya celebrated the opening of its new high school on campus in January 2020. Thanks to donations from Maranatha’s #GivingTuesday campaign in December 2019, a new classroom building now houses 40 ninth grade students, who previously would have had to attend school elsewhere. Additionally, 15 girls that were enrolled at boarding schools returned to the Kajiado campus for 10th grade. The establishment of a secondary program is a dream come true for the
Kajiado center, which provides a home and education to Maasai girls who have escaped child marriage. In the past, students had to leave campus to receive a high school education, due to the lack of classroom space. Now, the girls can
remain at the center, which has become their home, until they complete their education. This provides the advantage of working with teachers who understand the girls’ sensitive backgrounds.
VOLUNTEERS RENOVATE CAMP KULAQUA
E
arlier this year, Maranatha completed a renovation project at Camp Kulaqua, a retreat center and youth camp in northern Florida. Over ten days, 56 participants brought new life to one of the largest Seventhday Adventist camps in the world. Volunteers reconstructed cabin decks and stairs, built fences, worked on landscaping, as well as other general maintenance. This was Maranatha’s second mission trip at Camp Kulaqua and project leader Jeanice Riles credits that prior experience to a smooth project this year. “We were organized, we knew what to expect, and we had the help of return volunteers,” said Riles. Although most of the participants were Maranatha veterans, 22 had never served with Maranatha before. Yet,
www.maranatha.org
the group quickly bonded and their enthusiasm led to efficient progress in the renovations. They also took time to soak in the spiritual significance of the work. “For returning youth campers or adults who will use the retreat center in the future, it shows that the camp cares,” said Riles. “You think of the spiritual impact for these kids. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth where they can meet Jesus.”
T H E V O LU N T E E R SPRING 2 0 2 0 | 7
