Dear Supporters of Come True,
Since October 7th, we are all enduring difficult times as we mourn the loss of civilians and soldiers. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we fervently hope for the well-being and the freedom of all our hostages, and for the safe return of our soldiers to their families and the evacuees to their homes.
Since that terrible Shabbat, we have been receiving numerous messages from the program’s students and graduates, as well as parents and family members who are following the incidents in Israel from afar. They have asked us to convey their support and concern for the fate of their Israeli friends. Their words are highly significant to us, as they, having been victims of persecution throughout their lives, deeply identify with the tragedy we are currently experiencing.
As you may know, the refugee community in Israel, including the South Sudanese, has rallied to assist evacuees, farmers, and offer support in any possible way. This week, we joined Simon Aban Deng, a South Sudanese human rights activist living in the USA, in his solidarity march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Simon marched to express his support for the State of Israel and the families of the hostages.
As anticipated, these challenging events are also impacting the Come True project. In addition to many of our supporters being directly affected by the terror attack, most of us Israeli citizens have stood up to support the needs that have arisen during these difficult times.
Yet, the program, which thanks to your generosity assists hundreds of children, continues to need your support even more, during these difficult times. We still must continue paying the school fees and fund the daily living of the children. Life in Uganda and Kenya continues, even when the time here froze.
Since October 7th, we are all enduring difficult times as we mourn the loss of civilians and soldiers. Our thoughts are with the families affected, and we fervently hope for the well-being and the freedom of all our hostages, and for the safe return of our soldiers to their families and the evacuees to their homes.
Since that terrible Shabbat, we have been receiving numerous messages from the program’s students and graduates, as well as parents and family members who are following the incidents in Israel from afar. They have asked us to convey their support and concern for the fate of their Israeli friends. Their words are highly significant to us, as they, having been victims of persecution throughout their lives, deeply identify with the tragedy we are currently experiencing.
As you may know, the refugee community in Israel, including the South Sudanese, has rallied to assist evacuees, farmers, and offer support in any possible way. This week, we joined Simon Aban Deng, a South Sudanese human rights activist living in the USA, in his solidarity march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Simon marched to express his support for the State of Israel and the families of the hostages.
As anticipated, these challenging events are also impacting the Come True project. In addition to many of our supporters being directly affected by the terror attack, most of us Israeli citizens have stood up to support the needs that have arisen during these difficult times.
Yet, the program, which thanks to your generosity assists hundreds of children, continues to need your support even more, during these difficult times. We still must continue paying the school fees and fund the daily living of the children. Life in Uganda and Kenya continues, even when the time here froze.
It is important for us to share with you that the community did not just offer their moral support a us, their Israeli friends; their understanding of the crisis in Israel has led them to propose several ways they can support the project. As they live as refugees in a poor country and have very limited access to income gathering activities, they thought of other ways they can ease the burden on us, the Israelis. To reduce on-the-ground expenses, the families have decided to come together and unite the children, most of whose parents live in remote areas and countries, providing them with family and shelter during the long Christmas break (the main annual school holiday in the Ugandan Calendar). This way, the organization is spared the expense of renting a compound and covering the children's nutrition and upkeep for two months until the start of the next school year in February 2024.
We were thrilled to receive messages from our graduates and university students who have come up with various initiatives for fundraising within the South Sudanese community worldwide. This will allow the community to take on some of the project’s ancillary expenses, such as purchasing requirements for the children, while Become focuses on paying their tuition and other direct school-related expenses. These initiatives by our students and graduates are proof of the great success of the Come True project in educating leadership, activism, and proactive initiatives, and avoiding creating dependency of our students and graduates.
We were thrilled to receive messages from our graduates and university students who have come up with various initiatives for fundraising within the South Sudanese community worldwide. This will allow the community to take on some of the project’s ancillary expenses, such as purchasing requirements for the children, while Become focuses on paying their tuition and other direct school-related expenses. These initiatives by our students and graduates are proof of the great success of the Come True project in educating leadership, activism, and proactive initiatives, and avoiding creating dependency of our students and graduates.
What’s new in Come True?
A few days ago, the 2023 school year came to an end. This marks the end of the 11th year of the Come True project. The students are now on holiday and will return to school in February 2024.
We are happy to share that all our 285 students have successfully completed the school year and can progress to the next grade. Ten students completed the first exit point of the Ugandan education system - the fourth year of high school - and sat for the national exams. The results will be out in several weeks. Success in these exams will allow the students to be admitted to vocational training or diploma studies. Students wishing to do so may continue to the end point of high school, after two more years, which will allow them to continue to study for an academic degree. We encourage our students to continue on the academic path, and hope that all of them choose to do so.
A few days ago, the 2023 school year came to an end. This marks the end of the 11th year of the Come True project. The students are now on holiday and will return to school in February 2024.
We are happy to share that all our 285 students have successfully completed the school year and can progress to the next grade. Ten students completed the first exit point of the Ugandan education system - the fourth year of high school - and sat for the national exams. The results will be out in several weeks. Success in these exams will allow the students to be admitted to vocational training or diploma studies. Students wishing to do so may continue to the end point of high school, after two more years, which will allow them to continue to study for an academic degree. We encourage our students to continue on the academic path, and hope that all of them choose to do so.
We need your help, especially now!
How can you help?
As we shared above, the crisis enveloping Israeli society has also affected the Come True project. We need your help to ensure that we can continue doing what you’ve allowed us to do for the last 11 years – provide children with the educational horizon denied by the reality of refugee life. To ensure that we can continue supporting all our students, we need you to continue supporting us in this difficult time, thus allowing us to continue this unique project where Israeli citizens give a chance to a community with whom fate has deepened our bond.
To help, click the DONATE button to easily donate by credit.
If you are unable to donate at this time, we’d be thankful if you think of any of your friends and acquaintances who may take an interest in our project and share this newsletter with them. For thorough information about our project, please visit our recent activity report.
We thank you for your continued support and hope for better days soon for all of us and for children around the world.
How can you help?
As we shared above, the crisis enveloping Israeli society has also affected the Come True project. We need your help to ensure that we can continue doing what you’ve allowed us to do for the last 11 years – provide children with the educational horizon denied by the reality of refugee life. To ensure that we can continue supporting all our students, we need you to continue supporting us in this difficult time, thus allowing us to continue this unique project where Israeli citizens give a chance to a community with whom fate has deepened our bond.
To help, click the DONATE button to easily donate by credit.
If you are unable to donate at this time, we’d be thankful if you think of any of your friends and acquaintances who may take an interest in our project and share this newsletter with them. For thorough information about our project, please visit our recent activity report.
We thank you for your continued support and hope for better days soon for all of us and for children around the world.