for information contact:
Gerald E. Bates,
batesgerald@sbcglobal.net
You will see on this page photos of the new academic building going up at Hope Africa University. This is an urgent priority right now. Our builders have done well but construction funds are running low. We must not lose momentum in this Kingdom project.
In the photo, taken on July 8, you can see that the slab is poured for the second floor, and the pillars in and part of the forms for the slab which will form the floor of the third floor. After that slab is poured the walls can go up and then the roof. We need major gifts and gifts of any size in order to finish the building. Here are what are available for memorial rooms:
| 30 classrooms 7 x 10 m | $22,273 per unit |
| 6 classrooms, 5.5 x 7.5 m | $13,125 per unit |
| 7 classrooms, 5.5 x 10 m | $17,500 per unit |
| Internet room | $21,273 |
| Radio Studio (w/o equipment) | $25,773 |
| TV production (w/o equipment) | $25,773 |
| 10 offices | $8,591 per unit |
| 14 offices | $6,364 per unit |
| 3 Exec. office suites | $18,614 per unit |
| Library, 3 levels | $132,273 |
| Labs | $28,000, $35,127 and $28,955 |
For general giving:
| Windows and doors | estimated $380 per unit |
| Building shares (75 shares needed) | $1000 each |
| Cement | $21 per bag |
| Construction steel | Gifts of any amount greatly appreciated |
It is imperative that we have at least part of this building completed for service by the February 2008 intake of new students. We currently have 20 students in second year medical studies and 38 in first year (seven year program leading to the MD), and 45 in first year nursing and 10 in second year. These are currently doing general studies but will soon need access to a laboratory (Three labs are included in the new building plan.). The additional classrooms are also urgently needed.
New Figures for scholarship: Because of rising costs of food the new figures for scholarships are $1000 per year for in country (Burundi) and $1150 for out-of-country students.
News of our graduates:
Ezekiel Nibigira, lead marketer for OCIBU, the largest coffee exporting company in Burundi, was recently in the US on business. A keen Christian, Ezekiel is a member of Bishop Elie's church planting task force and contacted FMs in California on his visit.
News of the Bates family:
We are currently in Spring Arbor where Gerald has taken the position of interim president of the University for one year while a search process goes on. How will this work? How does it work when a parent has two children? Answer: You love both and work hard for the well-being of both.
All gifts for the University should be sent to:
Concrete is poured for the second floor, and the beginnings of pillars which will form the floor of the third floor.
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No tall cranes, simply a long ramp up which all the concrete must be carried by hand in buckets.
The completed slab for the second floor.
Soon the walls and then the roof.
