Dear St Paul’s Friends of the GVCP,
I must begin, of course, with a HUGE “Thank-You!”. Our high school students have returned to their academic settings for the next round of their studies, thanks to donors’ generosity.
Additionally – considering the funds we have on hand and pledges made that will soon be on their way to us – relatively speaking, we are only inches away ($3,500) from having sufficient tuition fees on hand to allow our four returning university students to continue their academic pursuits, while also making it possible for our four newly graduated High School students to start the first of their upcoming years of University study. It is thanks to the generosity of so many of you that all our students are able to take these next steps toward engagement with meaningful professional lives and continued service to their communities. So again, “Thank You!”
In a moment I will share a note of appreciation from one of our students. But first, I would like to return to the subject of our need for – and pending purchase of – a new vehicle. As you may recall from my previous letter to you, our faithful pick up truck of many years service finally proved to be beyond repair after its last break down. We did have a vehicle lined up for purchase – the “Fielder” that I sent you a picture of last month – as soon as funds would become available. However, since I wrote to you last, a much better, truly perfect, 10 seat van – pictured below – has become available for purchase.
An Email from Anne follows here about this van. I am hoping Anne’s words will provoke as much confidence in you, as they did in me, that this is the right vehicle for us to purchase!
From: anne muyanga <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 1:15 AM
To: Chris Gruener <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Car purchase
Hi Christopher,
I took the day yesterday to look at and ask about cars. I took interest in another car, the NOAH. The FIELDER is a 5 seater, the NOAH is an 8 seater, but can seat even 10. It has a wide, deep trunk for all the kids’ suitcases, etc. To bring the FIELDER home and pay monthly was going to finally cost us $11,500. For an additional $1000, we can acquire the NOAH, which is a far better option, that would finally cost $12,500. From the pics I sent you, you can see that it’s in very good condition. (CG note: I have those additional pics available for you if you want to see them. Just did not want to further crowd this email to you.) Being in a good condition as it is, it should be able to ferry the kids to school until they all finish university. It is spacious enough that it can carry the four university students at the same time. Even Annah, Josh, Kevin and Blessing can be carried to their school at once. It has enough space that we can comfortably have our lunch in it, during rainy days. When I visit the kids at school, I prepare food at home as it would be too expensive to buy it from a restaurant. But during rainy days it is very inconvenient to have to wait for the rain to stop or to eat in a cramped space of a small car. The NOAH solves that problem. So as not to pay interest on it, I suggested that we leave it at the dealer and keep paying until it’s paid off before I bring it home. It’s something they don’t normally do, but they agreed, because they are friends with my mechanic. We can discuss it further on phone, when you get some time.
Love and a hug,
Anne
We have put $5,000 down on this vehicle – a generous grant we received from the Loretto Foundation. That leaves us owing $7,500 before we can drive the van off the lot. But there is “a catch” to our agreement with the dealer who is holding this vehicle for us without added interest. We must pay the balance due at a rate of $1,000 each month to ultimately secure delivery of this vehicle. Otherwise, the van will be sold to any one of a number of other prospective buyers.
Add to that the $3,500 yet to be raised for the college tuition fees due mid July. Thus we end up with a total of an even $11,000 still needed to carry us through these next steps of our journey with the young people you all have been so remarkably generous in supporting thus far.
As promised above, I will close here with words of appreciation (transcribed below for clarity) from one of our high school students who, like her peers, looks ahead eagerly to entering University life:
And in case you find Annah’s note – share here by the person who recently sponsored her for a full school term’s tuition – a bit hard to read as is, here is the transcript of her letter:
Dear Aunt _____, (CG Note: “Aunt” and “Uncle” are common terms of endearment that are used by young people in Uganda to address those elders in their lives who feel like extended family)
I hope you are well.
I would like to thank you for your generous care and support extended to me towards my education and life in general. You have changed my life in a way I never thought possible, after my traumatic younger life. My schooling was on and off because I lacked school fees and scholastics. (CG Note: Annah is referencing the difficult years of her life, after her mother died, before support from the GVCP became available. You can read more of Annah’s story at this link.)
I am now in my final month of my final year of high school. I know that it’s only through education that I can make a difference, not only in my life but also in the lives of others.
Thank you for the peace, Joy and serenity you have brought into my life. May God’s blessings be upon you.
Gratefully,
Annah
So, that’s my “News” and our “Needs” for now friends. If Annah’s note of appreciation and that perfect for us “NOAH” vehicle (our “Noah’s Ark”, once we can start hauling our students to school in it) have inspired you to help out once again – or for the first time – your Tax Deductible Donation can be made via our website at this link: Spring Tuition Fundraising Campaign.
Alternatively, donations by check – saving us a processing fee – can be sent to “Global Village Children’s Project”.
To this address
Global Village Children’s Project – c/o Chris Gruener
85 Floral Street
Newton Highlands, MA
02461
Thank you, as always, for your generous spirit and your kindness toward the young lives we are – together – helping to thrive.
Christopher
Christopher Gruener
GVCP Board Member
https://gvcporphans.org
[email protected]
(617) 965-6552
PS – We still have some of the lovely fans, like the one pictured here, that Anne brought with her from Uganda last year. This school term we would like to send you one of “Anne’s Fans” as a “Thank You!” should you be able to offer a gift of $100 or more.
