Nickels November 2021

Greetings friends!

Every weekday morning at Rafiki Village Tanzania, the air is filled with the sound of young voices singing and chanting in the early childhood classrooms. Sitting at a desk in the administrative offices or washing dishes in the dining hall, one picks up snatches of hymns, poems, calendar songs, and action rhymes floating through the open windows and bestowing a sense of God’s blessing on this place.

All smiles at the early childhood playground

While much of the preschool morning feels like fun and games, the teachers know what a serious work they have undertaken. Seeking to provide a strong foundation in faith and academics for the youngest learners takes training, practice, and a lot of love. To observe the pupils at the playground, in the classrooms, and on the sidewalks around the Village is to see the results of their leadership. The parents of these day students see it too. One mother recently observed that it is not the reputation for academic excellence that families value most about Rafiki. They are deeply thankful for the spiritual shepherding their children receive, with a love for God, His Word, and their neighbors woven into every lesson plan.

A cool drink on a hot day

In past years we have struggled in the process of selecting students for each new class of three-year-olds. With space for only twenty new scholars per year and many times that many applicants, we regretted having to turn so many away. What a blessing it is to announce that this year we have space for an intake of 100 new students from early childhood level one to first grade.

Day students practice cursive in early childhood level 3

This is possible due to two exciting developments. First, God provided the funds to build a second primary school building and outfit it for six new classrooms. Second, our teachers-in-training in the Rafiki Institute of Classical Education (RICE) are completing a year of Bible study, courses in subjects from math to history to music, and practice teaching in Rafiki Schools. They are equipped and eager to bring those classrooms to life for these three- to six-year-olds.

The new school building

Mary teaches RICE music

RICE trainee Thomas practicing music theory

Please pray that the students and their families will be blessed in soul, mind, and body by their time at our school. May it lead to an outpouring of Thanksgiving in the months and years to come.

Please also pray for:

- All 250 Rafiki Day Students to have sponsors and be fully funded soon.

- For generous giving to the Africa Expansion Campaign. Rafiki is entering a season of exponential growth. We anticipate the thousands that Rafiki is currently ministering to across our 10 countries will turn to tens of thousands. To meet these new opportunities, we are asking God for a 25% increase over Rafiki’s current annual budget which could increase Rafiki’s impact 10-fold.

Note : Rafiki is now able to accept non-cash gifts such as real estate or estate bequests. Contact Rafiki@RafikiFoundation.org for more information.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this month, we thank God for your partnership with us!

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