The Spirit of Caring
Friday, December 9, 2005 — Brian Lavender
As Christmas advertising fills the airwaves of television and radio, the students of Rhema Christian School have already made a bold statement about the true meaning of this sacred season. Through several “giving” projects, the Grade 5, 6, 7 and 8 students are working to improve the lives of people in need around the world. Here are some examples:

Julie Oussoren’s Grade 5 students have raised $375 to support several development projects around the world including the acquisition of oxen and a plow in Mali, school lunches in Romania, mosquito nets in malaria stricken regions and cassava garden support in Malawi.

Brian Lavender’s Grade 6 class has been busy recycling old vinyl albums into “retro” bowls. The bowls sell with a box (made from the album cover) for $9 – the cost of a school uniform for a student in Ulungu, Kenya. The class aims to sell 100 of the albums which will enable 100 young Kenyans to gain access to a formal education.

Karl Nielsen’s Grade 7 class has partnered with Peter Oussoren’s Grade 8 class to raise funds, so far, in excess of $100. Through Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (C.R.W.R.C), the funds will assist several projects including the distribution of Creole Bibles in Haiti, and several agriculture support programs around the globe including goats and ducks.

Anyone wishing to assist the students as they strive to make a difference is welcome to contact the Rhema office at 743-1400.