Asha’s Refuge has been pushing forward with our efforts to get students in school with the supplies and uniforms they need.  We are still trying to locate and purchase uniforms, tennis shoes and a few more backpacks filled with supplies.  We are also still trying to obtain some final immunization shots and records for refugee students to begin school.

We were so thankful for a donation of 50 backpacks with school supplies inside them from Central Church and the community they collected them from.  We handed the backpacks all out the same day that we received them.  The children and families were very happy and grateful. 

The staff at Asha’s Refuge successfully registered about 25 to 30 disadvantaged refugee students both children and adults who were either unable to register on their own due to disabilities, language or educational barriers or just confused about the school registration process.  We are truly thankful to the staff at the Neighborhood Christian School, Lester Middle, Brewster Elementary and Messick Adult School and Catholic Charities Diane Lewis’s  for their help, kindness and patience with our friends.  I am thankful for the staff at Asha’s Refuge who have given up a lot of their own time and energy trying to navigate through the processes of appointment making, school calling, form completing and supply collecting all the while keeping themself focused on the main thing – love.

Asha’s Refuge will work hard to prepare for the school registration process earlier next year.  That means making doctor appointments in advance if possible and working to collect some of the necessary school supplies throughout the year.  We hope to better prepare the schools for our students and our students for their new school experience.   But, as always, we will expect the unexpected and stay flexible and willing to help wherever there is a need.