Stockton Presbyterian Church

The cost to get a mosquito bed net to a child at risk for Malaria in Kenya is about $10.  Much of that cost goes into shipping and handling.  Nets have about a five year lifespan and need to be replaced.  Each day, about 3,000 people die from Malaria in the world, mostly children and elderly.

The Elders of the Stockton church have approved a plan to equip local Kenyan citizens to start making a living by producing mosquito nets.

Dr. Brad Elder of Doane College is in Kenya developing a program to reduce cases of malaria, reduce dependance on foreign charity, clean up the environment and provide human dignity through employment.  Dr. Elder is a contact of one of our Elders at the church.

The plan is to harvest plastic bags festering in bushes and trees throughout the Kenyan landscape, press them into 8-ply sheets of plastic, have holes punched in them and stitched into mosquito nets.

Approximately $1500 establishes an individual/church or civic group to start a micro-business making mosquito nets.  The end product costs 5 cents to produce and can be sold locally at affordable prices.  It is amazing to think that $10 could save a life…but what about 5 cents?  By equipping the start up costs for a business, the end result is far more efficient.

Our goal at Stockton is to raise $3,000, enough to start two businesses.  Our hope is to partner with the community.  If you would like to help, checks can be made to Stockton Presbyterian Church.  Please include Mosquito Nets Save Kids on the memo line.

Some of the items that are included in the business start up…

1. First aid kit, $62  (U.S. dollar amount)
2. Ironing Table, $106
3. Sewing Machine, $172
4. Rubber gloves, $125 for 80 pairs
5. Tailoring Scissors, $15 for 4
6. Overalls, $300 for 40 pair
7. Iron Boxes, $13 for 4
8. Tracing/wax paper, $17.50 for 20 meters

We are very excited about supporting this mission.  We feel it has several positive elements, including human dignity, environmental sensitivity and economic empowerment, in addition to literally saving lives.

Thank you in advance for any way that you can help with this mission project.  The peace of the Lord be with you.

The Deacons are sponsoring a gift card program for all Shoprite and Giant grocery store shoppers.  You can buy a gift card that the Deacons sell and the Deacons receive 5% of the money.  The Deacon board then uses this money to help people in need or support programs of the church.

If you are a SHOPRITE type of person, please see Holly Ziolkowski.

If you are a GIANT type of person, please see Jason Fuhr.

It is one easy way to help out the church.  And a great way item to tell your friends!

The Deacons of the church sponsor an email prayer chain.  If you have a prayer request, please send your request to deacons_at_spc@yahoo.com.  Please do not send requests for other people without their permission.  The Deacons of the church will have final say as to the appropriate nature of any requests that are received.