OASIS OF HOPE

Latest news

OoH-News November - December 2025

After Graduation on October 31, there hasn't been much news to share from our school life. The students entered a national exam period, which lasts for much of November, and in December it's mostly vacation. We look forward to seeing the results from the various exams. Our students usually score highly on these. And all grades at the school have exams. This may sound harsh to us, but fortunately, there's never any question of students not being allowed to continue if their results don't measure up.

Here in Norway, we can report good income during these months, which is typical leading up to Christmas. Both Heggedal and Østenstad congregations have held offerings, and in addition, we received a donation from Østenstad Choir's Christmas concert.

The teachers at Hovedgården Middle School also gave us a wonderful Christmas gift, and we can expect more from them when they organize an Action Day after the new year. Vettre School had a Christmas market where we received the proceeds, and the company that promised to support us with a larger amount over three years has doubled it, since they see that we are struggling financially.

And yes, our finances are tight. The Norwegian Krone is not what it once was, and together with the high food prices in Kenya, this remains a challenge for us. In addition, some of our donors have stopped giving. We have not been able to increase teachers' salaries this fall, which is of course not particularly popular. We see that our teachers are doing an incredible job, but we are only able to pay them half of what they would receive at a public school. In February, some of us will travel to Mbita. Teacher salaries will likely be something we have to discuss then.

In any case; the Oasis of Hope School is important to so many. We have kept it running for eleven years now, and we do not plan to stop any time soon.

We wish all our generous donors and supporters a very Happy New Year, and we look forward to continued cooperation in 2026.

OoH-News September - October 2025

During this period, we have received offering money from both Østenstad, Heggedal and Helgerud congregations. It is good to know that we have them in our team.

We also received a significant sum from a 60th birthday celebration. We are very grateful for this.

In Kenya, they have long planned the big event of the year; Graduation. This is a party for the students who are going from preschool to first grade. For the students, this is like birthday and Christmas Eve in the same day, and the expectations are very high. Food, speeches, entertainment, gifts and singing. Yes, this day contains most of it. Graduation was originally scheduled for October 17. but had to be postponed to October 31. This is because on October 15, Raila Odinga, former prime minister and "father of the country" in Kenya, died, and the authorities introduced seven days of national mourning throughout the country. For our friends, this was a very difficult and sad time, since Raila came from this area.

So, Graduation was postponed until October 31st, and the event was as successful as we hoped. 30 "graduates", who will go from preschool to first grade when the school year starts again in January. The pictures speak for themselves.

OoH-News July - August 2025

The summer has been quiet both here in Norway and in Kenya. Late in June we received a significant donation in Østenstad. We are very grateful for this and we realize that we have many people committed to our work.

In the schools in Kenya, the second term ended at the beginning of August, and the students had a well-deserved three-week holiday. During this period, we have spent the time well to paint all the walls inside. This is to avoid cracks in the brick walls.

And then, at the end of August, we received fantastic news. Earlier this year, we applied to Y's Men's aid program Time of Fast for funds for sewing machines and computers, which will primarily be used by the students in Junior Secondary. We also applied for support to have electricity installed in the school building. And the application was granted! This means that our oldest students can now learn more than ordinary school subjects. If they learn to sew, they may be able to start their own small business in the future. We are very grateful for this support and look forward to further collaboration with Y's Men in Østenstad congregation and the YMCA in Kenya.

The electricity provided gives us new opportunities. Then the students can use the classrooms both in the evening and in the early morning. Most do not have electricity at home, which can make homework difficult. We plan to buy ten computers and ten sewing machines, nine manual and one electric. Perhaps these sewing machines can be used for sewing courses for more people in the evening? There are many opportunities here and we look forward to purchasing and using the equipment.

OoH-News March - April 2025

Both March and April have been quiet months both in Kenya and here in Norway. At school, everyday life goes on as usual. In Kenya, all schools have a longer three-week holiday now in April. Since we follow the schedule route for the public school in the country, it has also been school free here. It is good to know that the students who really need it get food even though there is no teaching. And as we know from earlier, they see the school as their home. The students come to school during holidays and weekends, to be together, play, eat and talk with the teachers, who also show up faithfully.

In Norway, we have had our first presentation of the school project for the Østenstad congregation, after they chose us as an aid project. This was a good experience for everyone and the offering that came in was of great importance.

The school building is finished, but there are still a few things left before our engineer can complete the project completely and put his final signature on the paper. We need to paint the walls inside all the classrooms to preserve the brick walls and put up a solid fence with a gate around the school grounds. When we have built a school building according to all regulations for a large sum, we should be able to do this as well.

On April 28th, the second term of the school year starts. It lasts for fourteen weeks. We know that our students look forward to this day and we are happy with them.

At the beginning of February, our school was visited by an organization that provides drinking water tanks for schools. These are small tanks with a filtration system, Lifestraw. Water can be collected directly from Lake Victoria, poured into the tank, and, voila, it is ready to drink! We received four tanks, each holding 50 liters. One tank will be enough for about 100 students. Quite impressive and very useful.

Here in Norway, the situation is quiet, without any big events. So far this year, we have had a church offering in Heggedal, and more are expected in the spring. These church offerings are of great importance to us, since prices continue to rise in Kenya at the same time as the Norwegian currency is getting weaker and weaker. We are eagerly awaiting what will happen in the spring.