The Back to School fundraiser has been going well. We are over half way to our goal of $10,000 by October 1st! Thank you to all who have donated or pledged to donate over these past 2 weeks! Grace Private School only exists because of everyone's hard work and generous donations. Ibrahima, Rachel, the teachers and the students have energy and enthusiasm but without money there would be no school. As little as $25 per month, an amount most of us would not even miss, can educate a child for an entire year, truly changing their lives.  Please consider making a tax deductible donation today. Either use the PayPal button or mail a check to the address listed on the right. Email with questions or for more information. We are volunteers so all of the money goes directly to support the school.

The new building is just about finished! It should be ready for the 7th, 8th, and 9th graders by the first day of school which begins in less than two weeks. Those that follow us on Instagram and Facebook have seen the great progress and met some of the builders. I have been particularly impressed by the pictures of students hanging around the construction site. They are helping out where they can and simply enjoying being near their future school. Ibrahima says that some come every day and others just stop by on their way to somewhere else. The picture is of students screening sand which is used to make bricks. They worked at this for an hour a day for a couple weeks. Their volunteer labor really helped out while providing a time for the students to bond and feel invested in their school.

With gratitude,
Brandon

Join us for Grace Mission Inc.'s  Back to School in Mali annual fundraising event!   But this year, Grace Missions, in support of Grace Private School in Koro, Mali, West Africa Cordially invites you to   PLAY HOOKY   That's right, you heard it correctly. In Mali and here at home students are headed back to class. But we know you're busy, and we want to give you an evening with your family.   So . . .  This SPECTACULAR event will NOT take place! Cocktails will NOT be served at 6pm Dinner will NOT be provided at 7pm You will NOT need to rent a tux, buy a dress, or find a babysitter   Instead, stay home, choose your level of support, and know that your entire donation goes directly to support Grace Private School in Koro, Mali. Thanks to your support,  Grace Missions, Inc. has helped Grace Private School accomplish many things this past year! Expanded to serve six grades in Koro, Mali with high quality Christian education in an impoverished community that is over 90% Muslim. Nearly completed construction on three classrooms that will be ready at the start of this school year.    Purchased textbooks for all students, a first for students in Koro. Met the schools monthly operating expenses every month since our inception. Kept administrative costs to a minimum. Over 97% of donations go directly to the school. We all work as volunteers. There are no paid staff or directors' fees at Grace Missions, Inc. Provided over 75% of the school's yearly operating budget and 100% of capital expenditures for construction of the new school. Supported Grace School's leadership with ongoing prayer, discernment, planning, and capital improvements. Purchased land for future expansion to meet the needs of our growing student population.  Where we are going:  With your help, we can:   Build six more classrooms to complete the school's nine grades (Grades 1-9). $120,000 will be needed for capital improvements and construction over the next 2-3 years.   Continue to provide the annual operating budget(currently $30,000 per year) through your generous monthly support.   Build a high school to provide greater opportunity for the students of Grace School.   Hire a school nurse to provide basic health care and education for students and to be an educational resource within the community.   Provide opportunities for microenterprise in the community of Koro to help Grace Private School work towards increased self-sufficiency long term.   Provide adult education, vocational training, and literacy classes at the Grace Private School campus.    Kidding aside, Grace Private School   needs your help!            Click on the Donate Now button below to donate to  Grace Missions, Inc. Please consider the options below or give whatever amount you feel is appropriate.  Your donation is needed and greatly appreciated! -------------------------------- Donate today!   Donate Today!   Donate Today!! ----------------------------------  Yes! I want to play hooky for an evening and support Grace Private School! Below are some suggestions; click on the  Donate Now button at the bottom of the page and make your donation today!   $100 I'm staying home.  Don't even think about announcing my name at your non-event. $250 My family and I are taking the evening off.  Don't make t-shirts with our names on them. $500 My entire table of 10 will NOT be there.  Keep your silly plaque and don't write a song about us. Make sure all the money goes directly to Grace School. $1000 Call me a Platinum Sponsor  if you need to, but please don't put a brick in the school with my name on it.   Please consider supporting Grace Missions on an ongoing monthly basis. Start today by donating your first month's support; then please reply to this email to let us know of your monthly pledge. Donate Now THANK YOU!

Grace Missions Inc., 8330 Foster, Overland Park, KS 66212

Down to the Wire

Drissa is a mason working on the new classrooms

The school year starts in less than a month in Koro.  Ibrahima is pushing the builders to have the new classrooms ready for the middle school students by then. It will be close, but he is confident that it will be ready.  It will be so amazing to have the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th graders in a brand new building that is fully owned and paid for on our own land. In addition to the classrooms, the administration building is next door and is nearly complete. There are also three restrooms: one for girls, one for boys, and one for adults.

Like construction projects in the US there have been surprises, challenges and setbacks. There has been a severe drought in addition to the seasonal dry months that brought brick making to a standstill. Too much water in July caused different problems. Even a sand shortage at one point was overcome. But in the end we are going to come in under budget and on time.

The 1^st through 4^th graders will return to the rented rooms that Grace Private School has used for several years. But with only four classes at that location instead of six no one will have to be outside in the makeshift grass wall classes. Every year a new grade is added. With the addition of 4^th grade for 2015-16 we are only two years away from offering all nine years of primary school.

With the new building our monthly operating budget will increase. Some of this will be covered by the tuition that the families pay, but we wouldn’t be able to have this wonderful school without help from our great supporters. Please consider becoming a monthly donor. Every little bit really helps.  $180 a year will cover tuition for a student that otherwise might not be able to attend. $600 a year brings us 1% closer to the next 3 classrooms. We feel that the education that is offered at Grace is the best in town. Small class sizes, well-trained teachers, and a Christian education have all been successful in encouraging parents to entrust their children with us. Please keep Grace Private School in your thoughts and in your prayers this season.

Blessings,

Brandon