What a Year!

It's not always easy to take a deep breath, to pause, to reflect on all of the goodness in our lives. But, here at Bridges of Promise, we keep each other in check. We remind one another how blessed we are even when we hit a bump in the road or learn disappointing news. This year, we've hit very few snags. We've seen a lot of growth, and we have helped the community in Rulenge, Tanzania thrive a little more. Thanks to all of you who stop by to support us at bake sales, donate to the Scholarship Fund, or help spread the word about our work. We praise you. We thank you. We are so deeply blessed to be connected to you and serving others who could use a hand.

Here's our most recent newsletter. Please take a look at all of the goodness that has taken place towards the last quarter of the year. If you're ready to jump on board for 2013, we would love to have you! Donating is easy. Simply click on the Give Direct button to the left of the screen, or you'll also find a Donate tab on our website at http://www.bridgesofpromise.org.

Thank you, again!

4th Annual Tanzania Tea

What a delight to celebrate Bridges of Promise's 4th Annual Tanzania Tea at the lovely garden and art studio of Millicent Tomkins. About twenty guests came out this year to sip tea and enjoy finger foods. We were able to raise approximately $700 altogether, enough to sponsor one student orphan for the 2013 school year. Thank you to all who attended. We hope to see you again next year! Here are a few pix from the day. Enjoy!

4th Annual Tanzania Tea

In this last year, we have surpassed our goals in bringing clean water to Rulenge, Tanzania, in building infrastructure and by supporting 67 orphans to fund their school tuitions. We would love to invite you for tea and yummy homemade treats to celebrate our successes! Please feel free to invite friends. If you haven't joined us in past years, you'll love spending the afternoon in the gardens of the talented painter, Millicent Tomkin, in Mill Valley, CA. 

St. Gregory's Raises Over $28,000 to Support BOP!

Pretty much all Karen and I could do when we received the news one evening that the parishioners at St. Gregory raised over $28,000 to support BOP was sit there with our mouths wide open. Neither of us have ever been at such a loss for words. 

Earlier this winter, Father Paul Arnoult invited Bridges of Promise to make a presentation to the St. Gregory Global Partners Against Poverty Committee in hopes that we may be selected by the group to be the recipient of the church's annual Lenten project. Each year the committee selects a cause that supports the poor and the parish collects donations throughout the season of lent. 

We were humbled and honored this year when the GPAG committee selected BOP as its recipient and agreed to direct the funds to a water catchment tank system for the Benaco Women's and Children's Clinic in Rulenge-Ngara Tanzania which has an estimated cost of $10,500. The Lenten project was named Rain Catcher Water for Life.

Well, the parishioners quickly met the goal halfway through lent. That alone amazed us! Then, to everyone's surprise, an anonymous donor matched the funds raised, and yet the funds continued to come in accumulating to an astonishing $28,828.11! 

Not only are we able to fund the water catchment tank for the Benaco Women's and Children's clinic, but we're also able to fund a tank for the The Lourd's Women's and Children's Clinic and offer a small business grant to begin a book and stationary store for the St. Thomas Primary School in Rukora. These funds will generate sustainable income, save the women and young girls valuable time and improve nutrition for generations. 

We can not thank St. Gregory's parish enough for their outpouring of generosity and care and support in our mission to improve the health and welfare of our brothers and sisters in Tanzania. 

The Global Partners Against Poverty Committee along with Father Paul Arnoult and Deacon Steve Fox present Sandra Fazzino and Karen Schuster with the generous check donated by the parishioners of St. Gregory Church in San Mateo, CA. (In this photo: Deacon Steve & Barbara Fox, Jim & Madge Gough, Carol James, Marguerite Ott, Brian Sullivan, Bill Murray, Jill Daley, Tom Wainwright, Father Paul Arnoult, Karen Schuster, and Sandra Fazzino.)

These adorable girls, Lauren and Virginia, approached Karen and I after mass to let us know they were so inspired by our announcement of the St. Gregory Lenten project that they held a lemonade stand and raised $30! Their parents had attempted to teach them the concept of tithing, but instead Lauren and Virginia opted to donate all of their proceeds to BOP! We are BLOWN away by their spirit! Thank you, girls!