November 2, 2006

Hello to everyone,

Finally, some news after a long silence due to the amount of work to be finished!

We made it! The Kaolack school is open and teaching started at the beginning of October, as it did in all of the schools in Senegal.

But before we go any further…
Did you know that in the region of Kaolack:
• Only 66% of school-aged children can attend school because of the lack of structure and finances.
• There are often more than 60, even 70 students per class.
• Only 34% of elementary students pass the secondary entrance exam.
• 48% of the boys and 36% of the girls quit school at the end of elementary school.

Did you also know that in our schools, our objective is:
• That 95% of elementary students pass the high school entrance exam.
• That classes not exceed 40 students.
• To become the logical choice for parents who want quality education for their children.
• And most of all, to transform the lives of the children by the power of the Gospel.

Is there not a wonderful challenge to take up?
This is the reason why, along with the PAOC, we are actively involved in helping the national church to set up a network of Christian schools across Senegal to touch thousands of lives by the power of the Gospel.

So, the Kaolack school is in operation with three classes. We have a competent principal and all of the teachers are in place. We are working to complete the exterior fixtures and all of the administrative documents. These first classes are but the first of the four phases necessary to complete the twelve classes which will eventually make up Kaolack’s George Flattery School. This name was chosen in memory of the first missionary to labour in the Kaolack region.

We thank you for your great generosity, which has allowed us to complete this first phase of construction, of which the total cost has reached the $50 000 CAD mark.

We expect to complete the second phase of the project in 2007, that is to say, the second floor of the present building, which will house four additional classes. This phase requires approximately $35 000 CAD. We need your help to make it there. You may send your offering to the PAOC, marked: “Gaétan Gaucher, Kaolack School Project”. The third phase is scheduled for 2010, and the fourth for 2012.

The church in Kolda is in the process of coming back to life since Pastor Isaac began in August. At the time of my visit at the end of September, the people had the opportunity to show their joy. The Sunday School children, 38 of them, performed a special number for the occasion. The church consists of about 15 adults. The former building was demolished and a house for the pastor will be finished early in 2007.

Since August, we have been in charge of the Thiès church. Pastor Bakayoko is on tour in his country, the Ivory Coast, until the end of November. I temporarily cut back on my traveling to ensure that I could provide the necessary pastoral care. Next week, we will have three days of fasting and prayer with the members of the church.

We have finally almost ironed out the details for a protocol of agreement between the government and Operation Christmas Child Senegal for the exemption of the containers of the shoebox gifts. The duty charges for last year are being reimbursed to us and there will be no more duty to pay for future containers. We are already preparing for the next distribution season.

The family is well. Emmanuel is on vacation this week and we took the opportunity to go on a few outings. He is in Grade 6 and is doing well in school. Jacinthe teaches English at Emmanuel’s school to all of the primary grades. She is still involved with the women, the Sunday School children, and the evangelism club. In August, Emmanuel and I were able to visit our children living in Quebec. It was a very pleasant time in their company.

To all our partners:

We thank you again for your financial support for the year 2006.
It is very important that you inform the PAOC of your intentions for support for 2007 as quickly as possible; this will avoid needless delays in the progress of different projects. Many thanks to those who have already done so.

Prayer requests:

Pray for…

• All of the documents still to be drawn up or completed, including certain foundational and procedural documents. That we would have the wisdom and expertise we need.

• That numerous families would see the opportunity to offer their children an excellent education in the school, and would register them.

• The growth of the Thiès church, which is made up of only about 30 people.

Have a beautiful autumn!

Jacinthe et Gaétan