PRECE – We continued to be involved in this incredible faith based educational program. Prece now has 13 locations in Fortaleza and mostly in rural towns up to 75 miles outside Fortaleza. There are around 1500 students studying to finish a GED type program and studying to take the very difficult pre-vestibular test to gain acceptance into the Federal University of Ceara. The acceptance rate from Prece into the university is about 20%, versus the acceptance rate out of the public high schools which is about 4%.
We raised $12,000 to complete renovations on an old school building to house a Prece campus across the street from the university, and also to serve as a University Center for the 150 Prece graduates already in the university.
We raised $10,000 to help some of the Prece participants begin to start small businesses in their rural towns upon completing graduation from university. We have a group of 7 going on a mission trip in February to help consult on business plans.
THE LIFE OF CHRIST SCHOOL OF PIRAMBU – This school, built over the last 4 years in the poorest ghetto in Fortaleza, saw some renovations through our 2007 mission trip. We repainted the walls and ceilings. This school, which sponsors an after school program for elementary aged children and houses at Prece campus for 50 students trying to gain acceptance to university, has been offered a partnership with Compassion International. Thirty thousand is needed for necessary expansions to enlarge the school. It will increase it’s scope to children from 3 years old through university if they stay in school.
In 2007, thirty-two people participated in the mission trip June 29-July 7th to Fortaleza. We painted at two school sites, prepared and served a soup kitchen, taught Sunday School and led two Vacation Bible schools. It was a great experience for everybody.
2008 NEEDS:
- $30,000 for expansion of The Life of Christ School in Pirambu
- $5,000 to complete building another Prece campus for elementary
children and teenagers in Ombreira - $10,000 for further business development in the rural area
outside Fortaleza
