Exciting opportunity

Hi Folks,

This letter is to inform you of a Skype call I received from Noel Issacs (Himalayan Region Vineyard leader).  As you know, our girls have been living in Kathmandu at the church for the past several years as they have been getting an education.  Two of our girls, Benita (Gorkha) and Mingmar (Nessing), graduated this year.  We are extremely happy about that, but there is more.  Benita had a final score of 92%, which qualifies her for further education.  It is her dream to continue her education and become a professional nurse (a staff nurse).  We are very excited about this possibility. Benita scored higher than any other girl from her “low” cast has ever sored. It is very rare for girls from her cast to be educated at all. It is an amazing accomplishment.

Initially, we thought Benita would be able to receive a scholarship for nursing school, but due to the Nepal government’s policies, they award the scholarships to students who have attended the government schools. Benita has been attending a private school for these years, and though her scores are significantly higher, the other girls from the government schools will receive the scholarships.  It isn’t fair, but that’s the way it works in Nepal.

Noel informed me that Benita has just taken the entry test for nursing school, along with 450 other girls.  She received the second highest score of the entire group!  Again….beyond amazing for a girl from her cast.  Nursing school will cost $6000.00 for the three year program.  This is for the total cost, room, board, tuition and expenses.  In order for Benita to enter nursing school, she will need the first $2000.00 for year one within ten days.  We want to see her take this opportunity and become a nurse in three years.  This is absolutely life changing….culture changing….again, unheard of for a Gorkha girl.  We really need to raise this first $2000.00 as soon as possible.  We will have some time to figure out how to pay for year two and three.  Any donation would be very welcome, and of course, is tax deductible. If you have any ideas on how we can pay this amount in the next few days, that would also be a help.  I have a few ideas that I will need to discuss with our senior staff.  Obviously, if we start this process, we will need to finish it.  However, as you know, this is a very modest fee for all expenses for three years of nursing school.

Thank you for reading this, and I would ask you to pray about how we are to respond to this unbelievable opportunity.  We never could have dreamed of this outcome when we started this ministry a few years ago.  Benita was 9 years old when she came from her village. She was our very first girl, and it appears that God has certainly blessed her and our involvement.

Blessings to you!

Mark Morgan

If you wish to contribute, you can give a tax deductible gift at the VCC website.  Online Giving...click on "Quick Give" no log in required, and then see the "tithes & offerings" drop down box and select "Benita Nursing School".
Benita's Nursing School  (click on this link)