BETHANY APPEALS FOR NEW DONORS

Since the passing of its founder Ms Louise Lynip in July 2006 its no secret that Bethany has struggled financially. In order to support the current 28 children in residence at the Home along with the necessary support staff and management Bethany needs a steady income from its donors on a regularly basis.
Additionally Bethany runs an Elementary School Grades 1 to 6 as well as a High School Years 1 to 4 which supports the educational requirements of the Home as well as the Town and Barrios of Talakag. The Bethany Christian School was founded originally to educate the Home’s children when the number of children being cared for at the Home exceeded one hundred. Since those days of course the number of children from the Home attending the School has dwindled to currently around 10 but the need for the School with a pupil population of in excess of 320 justifies its continuation, particularly with education been seen as the number one way to ease the acute poverty in the provinces. Not only does education ease poverty it greatly helps in establishing a sound platform for nationalism and patriotism and schooling goes a long way to prevent children being fragmentised.
Bethany is trying to establish a sustainable income programme with the planting of a rubber plantation which is being initially funded by private donation primarily from donors in the United Kingdom. When complete the rubber plantation will comprise of approximately 25 acres and should yield between 60,000/ 90,000 pesos per month depending on latex production and market price. This is equivalent to £830.00- £1,244.00 or $1,250.00-$1,875.00. Along with other such sustainable projects like the current handicraft training initiative for the older Bethany children whereby products can be made and customised to suit occasions like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries etc this project is ongoing and funded by Mr Terry & Mrs Lynn Habeck and the training is being carried out at Bethany by Mr Jojo Rivera.
The Farm that Bethany once had to grow cash crops for additional income has largely been neglected over the last few years due to lack of capital as well as knowledgeable management. This is about to change with a new member of the Board of Trustees being an agriculturalist and plans are being drawn up to revive the poultry houses as well as the piggery along with establishing cottage gardening in order to help supplement the feeding requirements of the Home.
The afore mentioned cannot be established to the point of sustainability unless donors donate on a regular basis. I appeal to all those past, present and future donors to dig deep and make a commitment to a worthy cause that will make you proud to be part of irrespective of your nationality or domain. Bethany was established through devotion to ensure that the needy children of Bukidnon and beyond were cared for in a Godly manner, please help us to continue the good work for as long as there is children in need.