Will you be an EchoStars 'Angel of Support' this Christmas and earn a Christmas Halo ?
For as little as $30 per year you can ensure a child is given the gift of a literate life.
For as little as $30 per year you can ensure a child is given the gift of a literate life.
You proved to be Angels with your years of support that built BrightStars School in Dhaka which now stands proud, independent and ready to help thousands of children over the coming years so please join our 'Angels of Support' and become an annual sponsor today for as little as $30.
Click here to Donate to our Angels of Support Appeal
It
costs less than $30 per child per year to cover the basic costs of
educating a child on Bhola Island in our new EchoStars schools.
Our immediate target: Our target for this year was $30,000 and we are just short of this and still need to raise $1,500 to cover the basic costs for 2016 to operate the schools.
Our 2016 target: Depending on how much support we get our wish list is about $35,000 per annum:
Our immediate target: Our target for this year was $30,000 and we are just short of this and still need to raise $1,500 to cover the basic costs for 2016 to operate the schools.
Our 2016 target: Depending on how much support we get our wish list is about $35,000 per annum:
Click here to Donate to our Angels of Support Appeal
Photo below: BrightStars new classroom mural
The 2016 wishful target is broken down as follows:
- To build another Primary school with CO-ID FOR ONLY - $12,500
- To build another Pre-school - $7,000
- School running costs $8,000 per year (per school)
- Pre-school running costs $2,500 per year (per pre-school)
- $5000 to top up our BrightStars Secondary School fund @ $250 per student per annum
- NOTE: It is one of the major reasons ES has decided to work through CO-ID and keep our mission to raise funds for education in Bangladesh, as they are able to build these modest structures and operate them as schools for large numbers of needy children. BrightStars cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and is now significant infrastructure now in place to offer education to slum dwelling children for many years to come. Fred's model of education on Bhola Island where there are so many needy children proves that for very modest amounts basic literacy can be extended to the world's poorest for very little.
To donate directly to EchoStars bank account (no bank fees)
Name of account: EchoStars Incorporated.
BSB 012 739
Account # 527217302
Reference : your name + sponsor
(Please note if you require a Tax deductible receipt - please email rosefigtree@echostars.org with a postal address and your donation amount thank you.)
Click here to Donate to our Angels of Support Appeal
One
of the first people to help me start EchoStars said she felt a Halo
glow around her head when I thanked her. This image has long stayed with
me and has been proven scientifically that you do improve your own well
being when you're kind to one another. The effect is always confirmed
in the 'feel good' glow we all receive when we do something kind for
someone else.
Please help us continue to brighten children's lives. With committed sponsors we can be assured that we can keep the program growing for another year and plan for expansion!
Many of you have been 'angels of support' through the faithful constancy in your giving to our many appeals and events over the years that made this school possible and I hope that you take great pride in having been such an important and critical part of this journey with EchoStars.
This bright new coat of paint is perfect for it to shine out like a beacon on our motto and '...brighten children's lives...'.
Thanks to all of our 'Angels of Support' EchoStars was able to establish the BrightStars Literacy Program and Secondary Schools Program. All 30 Literacy students will join main stream school in 2016 and our first 18 sponsored secondary students have now completed their first year of high school thanks to this program.
Please help us continue to brighten children's lives. With committed sponsors we can be assured that we can keep the program growing for another year and plan for expansion!
Many of you have been 'angels of support' through the faithful constancy in your giving to our many appeals and events over the years that made this school possible and I hope that you take great pride in having been such an important and critical part of this journey with EchoStars.
This bright new coat of paint is perfect for it to shine out like a beacon on our motto and '...brighten children's lives...'.
Thanks to all of our 'Angels of Support' EchoStars was able to establish the BrightStars Literacy Program and Secondary Schools Program. All 30 Literacy students will join main stream school in 2016 and our first 18 sponsored secondary students have now completed their first year of high school thanks to this program.
Picture above:
who will replace Fred this year as the building and operations supervisor for the program.
Dr Olav Muurlink B.A. (Hons.) M.Phil. Ph.D. MAPS chairman: CO-ID Bangladesh.
Fred's last trip to Bangladesh
I am sure 95 year old Fred must be feeling a twinge of sadness and regret that he was not on the plane this year for the Bangladesh dry season which marks the building and maintenance period for the CO-ID school's program.
After 30 years of returning each year to Bhola Island where he would live for 6 months in rudimentary accommodation he has had to stay home due to health issues. In his place Dr Olav Muurlink is going to ensure Fred's work is carried on. Dr Muurlink, has been a part of CO-ID for over 10 years and is now chair of its NGO in Bangladesh.
Although it is integral to the CO-ID philosophy that the local Bangladeshis have control and most responsibility for the schools, Fred has always insisted that all building and financial expenditure is supervised and is totally accountable to donors via CO-ID Australia.
He first visited Bangladesh in 2010 and this will be his fourth trip. He will spend this Christmas there doing some research, and giving a speech at the Public Health Foundation, Bangladesh conference, in the area of his specialty; working time and the epidemiology of work.
Dr Olav is chair of the management committee of CO-ID. He will be focusing this trip on improving the sustainability and transparency of the organisation as it makes the transition from having Fred being on Bhola Island most of the year. Dr Olav will be in Bangladesh for one month to meet all staff, visit all schools, meet with public officials including the District Commissioner of Bhola, as well as auditors, banking officials and builders.
EchoStars building preparation works are underway. In particular the building up of the site for the new pre school above the flood zone at this moment. These sites have to thoroughly dryout (a slow process) before building can begin.
Olav will be watching over the new EchoStars schools this dry season in the hope that they will be ready to accept students by March 2016.
Click here to Donate to our Angels of Support Appeal
As
Christmas '15 approaches and my granddaughter performs at her ballet
concert, I am reminded that it was my constant and joyful awareness of
the happy children's smiles in the slums of Dhaka, and the birth event
of my first grand-child that inspired me to found and start EchoStars in
September 2009.
Picture above: Fred Hyde in Bangladesh at one of the schools in the CO-ID program.
Click here to Donate to our Angels of Support Appeal
Picture below: Original Kangaroo Marchers.
Peace was a hard won prize.
Lest we forget.............
Fred returned from Kokoda and became a one man educational missionary showing a commitment to peace and a more equitable world.
May we all be inspired by his work into the New Year.
You're an Angel for reading this far and supporting EchoStars.
Merry Christmas All
Rose Figtree
Merry Christmas All
Rose Figtree
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