Construction has Begun!

Thanks to Ben's story on Reddit, donors from around the world have continued their support and we've reached $83,000. Fortunately, Omari works in the construction buisness and has been able to hire the labor and materials for constructing the security wall. Originally, Omari's estimate was $2,000 but now we're thinking it will be more like $10,000 at least. Bookkeeping has been tight, with electronic and hard receipts for every dollar spent. After construction of the wall, in order to purchase the orphanage, we must raise $200,000 so we're a long way away but at the same time almost half way there!

Click this link to donate: http://www.longonoteducation.org/donate.html

Here are some photos of the construction and what we've accomplished so far. Note the fence that was easily broken through by the thieves.



What we've done so far:

1. Replaced all door handles/locks
2. Replaced locks on the padlocks for the outer doors (the thieves had picked the previous locks, but these new ones are more secure)
3. Hired a Maasai guard for the night (with all of the publicity the orphanage is more vulnerable than ever)
4. Purchased cement, balast, sand, and bricks and hired several laborers who've begun construction of the security wall

What will we spend the rest of the money on?

1. Purchase of the property: this is the NUMBER ONE priority after the wall is complete. We've discussed it with the owners already and it will cost about $150,000.
2. Bunk beds for the children (they have mattresses they put on the floor).
3. Other things like food and charcoal, water and electricity, etc.