WE'VE MOVED!

We are excited to announce that our EMA+USA website is up and running!  Check us out at http://www.elwamausa.org/.  ELWA Palava Hut Blog is now part of that site, and you can go directly to the blog at http://www.elwamausa.org/blog/.  Hope to see you there!

ELWA ACADEMY

I attended and was one of the first seven 8th grade graduates of ELWA Academy.  You don't need to know the year --it was a while ago, OK?  Many of us thought that the Academy is no longer viable, destroyed in the war.  Praise God, this is not so!  Here is an update:  

ELWA ACADEMY

ELWA Academy's purpose is "to train the mind and character of children in preparation for life and leadership in the church and society." That purpose is accomplished through a Christ-centered educational experience, from the curriculum to the interactions of teachers with their students. The priority of the ELWA Academy is to provide affordable, quality education for families who are involved in full-time Christian ministry. 

History of the New ELWA Academy

For 5 years after the 1996 crisis in the Liberian civil war, the ELWA Academy campus sat idle.  No one swinging on the swings, no one singing praises to God in early morning devotions, no school bells ringing and children’s voices in the school yard.

The buildings had once housed a school for missionary children, but more than a decade of civil war, the school was no longer in operation.  In 2001, three local mothers asked to used the preschool building to host a childcare program for 2-3 year olds.

The children showed such benefit from the care and attention and teaching, that the parents were soon asking if the childcare could become a school.  In 2003, just months after the civil war ended, the ELWA Academy opened the Kindergarten division. In 2004, grades 1-4 were added.  Another grade was added each year so that by 2009, the Academy is  a complete preschool, elementary and junior high school, up through 9th grade.

The Need

 Prov. 3:27 Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.

•  · ELWA Academy serves the staff and surrounding  community of Radio Station ELWA in Monrovia, Liberia. 
• · It is bursting at its seams with 495 students, and 33 staff
• · There are approximately 40-45 students per class
• · There is a brand new, 4 classroom building that is almost complete, needing money to finish the work.  
• · For about $150 a year, you can give a scholarship to a student who would otherwise be unable to attend school.  
• Tuition costs across Liberia have increased greatly, as as Elwa Academy.
  

EMA+USA Scholarship Fund

While working on the ELWA sign painting project in January 2007, several young boys, including Archie and Emmanuel, came by and volunteered to help. In conversing with the boys, we found out that the reason they were “free” on a school day was because they had no money for school fees, so couldn’t go to school. When the project was completed, Nancy Molenhouse went with them to their schools and paid their fees so that they could start attending school again.  This was when Nancy began to realize the desperate need for scholarships for children in the ELWA community, and the idea to start the ELWA scholarship program began. 

Currently we provide scholarships to 31 deserving students. It costs about $150 a year per student for school fees.  School fees throughout Liberia have greatly increased, making these scholarships even more critical.  Board members review the applications and select students, and the staff at ELWA coordinates with us to disburse the funds to the schools. 

CAN YOU HELP?

Prov. 11:24-25 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.

• · Donations for the Scholarship Fund
• · Money to complete the new building
• · School Supplies
• · Pencils, pens, crayons, paper
• · Flashcards
• · Reading books for grades 1-6
• · Dictionaries
• · Textbooks for Jr. High (biology, chemistry, physics)
• · Encyclopedias
• · Printers, computers (desktops and laptops) for student and teacher use
• · HP ink toner cartridges 51A, 51X, 13X and 12A
• · NIV Bibles for students
• · Tracts for evangelism
• · Instructional posters
• · Sporting materials (balls – playground, soccer, basketball), shoes and jerseys, preferably blue)

Principal:  Rev Benedict Nagbe

snorseo@yahoo.com

CURRENT AND UPCOMING SERVING TRIPS

A team from EMAUSA has just arrived today in Liberia -- Nancy and Jim Molenhouse, son John, daughter Katie, daughter and son-in-law Crystal and Nate Miller.  They are being joined in a couple of days by Clip Kniffin and David Parker.  Nancy and kids will stay about 10 days, the rest of the men a week longer.

During that time, they will be

·         meeting with the scholarship committee

·         putting a roof on the Suzie Guenter orphanage  classroom building

·         repairing the generators and well

·         hosting a reception for the ELWA staff

·         hosting Orphan Joy Christmas parties for several orphanages. 

We work closely with Christine Tolbert Norman through her organization REAP in our orphan outreaches, and partner with REAP in hosting Orphan Joy parties at Phebe Grey orphanage as well as Susie Guenter orphanage.  At both parties they will shared the love of Jesus through games, gifts, balloon art, stories, and special treats.

Also, be praying for these two trips coming up in the next three months, that the Lord would provide the personnel, funding, logistics, and safety to most effectively be used for His glory.

David Frazee, an electrician and ELWA MK, is going to ELWA at the end of February, in response to a need expressed by Steve Kjer.  Steve says, “I am praying for a team to go with me to rebuild the ELWA power distribution system. Power line and pole hardware has just arrived at ELWA. I am praying that the Lord would provide a team that would include at least one power lineman and at least one electrician.” 

The entire electrical grid for the ELWA compound is in desperate need of an overhauling.  David is only able to go for a week, but a contractor friend is going to be with him, checking out teaching Business and Bible teaching opportunities. 

Dan Snyder is leading a team to Liberia for our March 2010 Missions Trip, leaving March 20. They will be having nightly youth rallies (of the 3.5 m people half are 15 and younger, average age is 18) showing the "Jesus" film, and “Angel in Ebony”, the Sammie Morris story.  They will also be conducting several days of management/leadership workshops for several NGO/mission organizations and holding several days of meetings with various government officials regarding some crucial needs in Liberia and foreign involvement. 

David Jones, son of Howard O. and Wanda Jones, and Annette de la Haye Cooper, daughter of Ray and Sophie De la Haye, will be going as a part of this team. Dan Snyder says, " I believe God has anointed each of them with a powerful message of hope and healing thru a personal relationship with our Lord."

Please prayfully consider supporting these teams in prayer, financially, or joining a team.  There is a special need for electricians with David Frazee's team.

Contact information:

P.O. Box 36
Wheaton, IL  60187

jlkoci@yahoo.com