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Missions of the Month for 2012

January - Prayer Shawl Ministry
February - Zawadi Fund International
March - One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)
April - Los Pobres
May - Strengthen the Church
June - Inside/Out Youth Services
July - Northern Churches Care (NCC)
August - Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
September - Youth Mission
October - Neighbors in Need (NIN)
November - One Nation Walking Together
December - The Christmas Fund

Mission of the Month for February

Zawadi Fund International (ZFI)

Vista Grande's support of ZFI is our way of supporting street orphans who reside in the Children and Youth Empowerment Centre (CYEC) in Nyeri, Kenya. These vulnerable young people reside in this safe environment, receiving education and learning skills that will provide a foundation for them to become productive members of society.

CYEC began in 2006, providing a safe environment, food, shelter, medical care, education, and the sense of being valued. Over the years, the young people have developed gardens and now are self-sufficient in growing all the greens that are staples in their diets. Girls have learned to sew shoulder bags to generate income and savings. Sponsors have provided tuition for worthy students to attend secondary schools.

During 2011, gifts from friends (such as VGCC!), have allowed the development of the following programs:

a financial literacy program, explaining and training students in the need of saving for the future;
a drop-in-center, which allows even more vulnerable young people in Nyeri to benefit from the programs of CYEC;
designing and developing jewelry and art made from electronic waste – benefiting the environment and helping the youth;
development of record-keeping skills and identifying potential for growth in their agricultural enterprises, which has allowed the sale of their produce in local markets;
the development of a micro-financed fund which allows youth to finance expansion or creation of a small enterprise, after having participated in classes teaching the basics of money management.

Because we know the folks who are in leadership positions with this program (i.e. Max Hale's daughter, Mary), we can be sure that all gifts will be used to develop the potential of these children and youth so they can lead happy, productive lives!