(in)Mercy Phase 2: Learn Mercy {Classroom Additions}

This week I was excited to share a few more details about the (in)Mercy fundraiser for Mercy House, a maternity home in Kenya. Monday kicked off Phase 2: Classroom Additions. The goal was to raise $8,500 to help build a classroom that will house a computer lab and skills training area for Mercy House.

Have you noticed that I'm speaking in past tense here? Well, there's a fantastic reason for that. Phase 2 kicked off on Monday and was FULLY FUNDED on Tuesday! (And I didn't even get my post up to share about it!) Yes, within just 30 hours of launching, Phase 2 was finished!!! Isn't God just amazing?! 

If I had posted, this is some of what I would have shared with you ...

“We know from study after study that there is no tool for development more effective than the education of girls and women.” (Kofi Annan)

Education is a fundamental right for all people, women and men, of all ages. Unfortunately in Kenya and many countries like it, education for girls still lags behind education for boys.

When girls are given the opportunity to learn, it not only changes their lives, it changes the world (facts based on research at womendeliver.org):

1. Educating girls raises lifetime incomes for them, their families and their countries. In particular, girls with secondary education have an 18% return in future wages, as compared to 14% for boys.


2. Educating girls and women fosters democracy and women's political activity. Educated women are more likely to resist abuses such as domestic violence, traditions like female mutilation, and discrimination at home, in society or the workplace.


3. Educating girls and women saves children's lives. Each additional year of schooling for girls reduces infant mortality for their offspring by up to 10%. Also, mothers provide better nutrition and health care and spend more on their children: girls and women spend 90% of their earned income on their families, while men only spend 30-40%.

If you want to read more about the need for educating girls in countries like Kenya, click here.

This would have been the portion of the post where I would have asked you to consider contributing to help make this a reality for these young moms. Instead, will you do the following?

• Rejoice in God's provision for a new classroom!


• Continue praying for the ministry of Mercy House. Specifically ask God to make Himself known to these precious mothers.


• Consider ways that you might encourage women in your community or around the world in their educational pursuits. If the Lord shows you something, take the first step to make it happen!

* Photo Credit: Bess Brownlee