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Home » Special Funds » Child Sponsorship » Orachaga Graduates » Merolu

Merolu

Merolu is in grade 10.

$30/month

2 sponsorship(s) needed

Code: ORA-102

About Orachaga Graduates

Orachaga school is the first school among the Mursi, a tribe living in the far southwestern region of Ethiopia. Meaning “new, fresh home,” the school was named by the Mursi elders to say, “A new, fresh home has come to us.” Orachaga school facilitates grades 1-4 for Mursi students of all ages.

After the fourth grade, continuing students (who range in age from early teens to late 30s) have been attending a boarding school a full day’s drive from where the Mursi live. Many of these students are exceptionally bright, and could benefit from a much higher-quality education than this school can provide. Others simply desire a quality education in a safer environment where they can thrive.

Your sponsorship of a Mursi student will allow him or her to attend a quality, college-preparatory Christian school that will help prepare these students to be capable advocates for their families and the Mursi people as a whole.


Sponsorship FAQs

ORA Sponsorships

Can I write to my sponsored student?

Yes! Attach one of the yellow cards from your sponsorship packet to assist staff in identifying your student. Standard, flat mail may be sent through the Helps Ministries office:

Helps Ministries
PO Box 6449
Asheville, NC 28816
What should (and shouldn’t) I write about?

Tell about yourself, family, faith, hobbies, sports, the area where you live. Ask your student about his/her favorite school subjects, interests, and dreams. Include a photograph of you and your family, or a postcard from your city or state. Avoid writing about material wealth, or sending photos that put relative physical luxuries such as your house or car on display. Please don’t include your mailing address or any other direct contact information in the content of your letter.

Will I hear back from my student?

Yes! Students will usually write letters to their sponsors at least yearly. If you haven’t received a letter for awhile, please contact us to make sure our records are current and that we have your correct mailing address. Please also keep in mind that, due to the remote areas where these students are located, communication is oftentimes very slow.

Can I send my student a gift?

Photos, stickers, and most other small items that fit into a flat envelope are great to include with a letter to your student, but we can’t accommodate other gifts at this time. If you would like to make a special contribution outside of your sponsorship, please contact us about current program needs, or any other special opportunities!

How long do students stay in the program?

This can vary greatly depending on the age and grade level of the student you’re sponsoring! A college student may only need sponsorship for a few years, while a grade 4 student may very well continue on through secondary school or beyond. If your student graduates or leaves the program for any reason, we’ll contact you as soon as possible and give you the opportunity to transfer your sponsorship to another student.

What does it cost to sponsor a student?

A Primary Scholarship is a pledged gift of $30/month (only $1/day!), and a Full Scholarship is $60/month. A student can have one full sponsor or up to two primary sponsors. You can adjust your giving level at any time – just contact us!

How do I make my donations?

Donations can be made by monthly automatic debit, recurring credit card, or manually by personal/bank check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to Helps Ministries, PO Box 6449, Asheville, NC 28816.

To set up recurring donations or make a full year donation towards an existing sponsorship, click here. To make an online donation for a different amount or other specific purpose, please visit our general donation page.

Helps Ministries (Helps International Ministries, Inc.) is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit mission society. Donations made through this page are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Helps Ministries’ tax ID number is 56-1133231.