New Budget and Critical Funding Appeal Ideas (April 20, 2015) | Medical, Educational and Peace Organization

Funding Appeal for the House of Flowers for 2015

Thanks to consistent support by donors and a few foundations, the past few years at the House of Flowers have been financially stable. Now that we are into 2015, we are reaching out to the friends of the House of Flowers to make sure we can continue to meet our budget for the rest of 2015.

To read the annual report, please click on the link below:

House of Flowers Annual and Financial Report for 2014

Budget Info and Increase

Currently the House of Flowers is home for 30 children from ages 5 to 17. The monthly budget in 2014 was $6400. We would like to increase the budget by 9% to $7000 per month for 2015 because of cost of living, inflation, and needed staff salary increases.

$7000/month = $2800 / year per child, or about $250 / month for each child.

What do we need to do?

Currently the House of Flowers has monthly or annual commitments that will cover 6 children for the coming year. We still need to raise funds for the additional 24 children, at about $250 a month, or $3000 for a year.

It may seem like a lot, but it’s not really, if we all work together, all around the world:

Some ideas:

Can you find 4 other friends or family members who could join you in committing to $50 a month for the next 12 months, to provide the $250 per month for one child? It’s a great family endeavor.
What about a church group or school club or scout project fundraiser? A movie night? A walkathon? A talent show? If 100 people each donated $30 each, that would instantly raise $3000, enough money for a year for a child.
A small group of people could easily generate $250 in an evening: Only 25 people need to give $10 each! This could be a monthly event such as a potluck dinner, movie, etc.
Or maybe a consistent monthly fundraiser to raise the $250 per month? Bake sales can often generate that much money in one hour!

We only need 24 such projects to raise $3000 each, and we can meet our annual goal for our 2015 budget. We need to do this by the end of July! Surely around the world we have 24 people, schools, clubs or organizations who are willing to do what it takes to raise $3000 with the help of friends, family and getting others involved.

You may ask, “How exactly is this money used?”

This monthly budget of $250 per child covers everything that is needed to provide each child with a safe, nurturing and enriching childhood:

A Montessori-based education from two caring in-house teachers in a bilingual environment (Dari and Pushto), that transcends the ethnic divisions so common in Afghanistan. This education also emphasizes geography and awareness of the wider world, taught in a context of compassion, reflection and acceptance.
A family-style environment, where life skills such as sewing, cooking, hygiene, hospitality, traditional culture, computer skills and finances are taught.
3 nutritious meals a day, a warm, clean home with a good bed), and private storage space (many orphanages require sharing beds and do not allow children to possess their own things)
Warm clothes, a school uniform, shoes, boots
All school supplies, as well as supplemental educational materials such as globes, encyclopedias, science equipment, story books, art supplies, etc.
Full medical care. In the past this has included care for broken bones, an appendectomy, dental care, X-rays, and antibiotics.
Support for older children in preparing for exams, for going to university and/or looking for jobs.
Transportation funds to safely take the children on outings, such as picnics, the zoo, concerts, etc. by chartering a bus or taxis.
Things that make life fun for children: bonuses, gifts and treats at celebrations such as Girls Education Day, Teachers Day, New Years, International Women’s Day, and the two primary religious holidays a year (Eid al-Fitr and Eid-e-Ghorban)
Salaries for nine full-time, highly dedicated caregivers who ensure the children’s safety, security, and health while providing guidance, love and education, 24 hours a day.

Some quick data: The teachers and manager of the House, the highest paid staff members, make $330 a month. The cleaning staff make $220, and others are in between. The average salary in Kabul is $400 a month.

In Conclusion!

By all of us around the world sharing our blessings in a network of care and support, this is easily doable. Having existed for more than 13 years, the House of Flowers has proven itself as a viable, dynamic and powerful model that works, having fundamentally changed the lives of dozens of children over the years. We will continue to do so for the sake of children and Afghanistan.

Thank you in advance, on behalf of the children and staff of the House of Flowers.

Funding Appeal for the House of Flowers for 2015

Thanks to consistent support by donors and a few foundations, the past few years at the House of Flowers have been financially stable. Now that we are into 2015, we are reaching out to the friends of the House of Flowers to make sure we can continue to meet our budget for the rest of 2015.

Budget Info and Increase

Currently the House of Flowers is home for 30 children from ages 5 to 17. The monthly budget in 2014 was $6400. We would like to increase the budget by 9% to $7000 per month for 2015 because of cost of living, inflation, and needed staff salary increases.

$7000/month = $2800 / year per child, or about $250 / month for each child.

What do we need to do?

Currently the House of Flowers has monthly or annual commitments that will cover 6 children for the coming year. We still need to raise funds for the additional 24 children, at about $250 a month, or $3000 for a year.

It may seem like a lot, but it’s not really, if we all work together, all around the world:

Some ideas:

Can you find 4 other friends or family members who could join you in committing to $50 a month for the next 12 months, to provide the $250 per month for one child? It’s a great family endeavor.

What about a church group or school club or scout project fundraiser? A movie night? A walkathon? A talent show? If 100 people each donated $30 each, that would instantly raise $3000, enough money for a year for a child.

A small group of people could easily generate $250 in an evening: Only 25 people need to give $10 each! This could be a monthly event such as a potluck dinner, movie, etc.

Or maybe a consistent monthly fundraiser to raise the $250 per month? Bake sales can often generate that much money in one hour!

You may ask, “How exactly is this money used?”

This monthly budget of $250 per child covers everything that is needed to provide each child with a safe, nurturing and enriching childhood:

A family-style environment, where life skills such as sewing, cooking, hygiene, hospitality, traditional culture, computer skills and finances are taught.

3 nutritious meals a day, a warm, clean home with a good bed), and private storage space (many orphanages require sharing beds and do not allow children to possess their own things)

Warm clothes, a school uniform, shoes, boots

All school supplies, as well as supplemental educational materials such as globes, encyclopedias, science equipment, story books, art supplies, etc.

Full medical care. In the past this has included care for broken bones, an appendectomy, dental care, X-rays, and antibiotics.

Support for older children in preparing for exams, for going to university and/or looking for jobs.

Transportation funds to safely take the children on outings, such as picnics, the zoo, concerts, etc. by chartering a bus or taxis.

Things that make life fun for children: bonuses, gifts and treats at celebrations such as Girls Education Day, Teachers Day, New Years, International Women’s Day, and the two primary religious holidays a year (Eid al-Fitr and Eid-e-Ghorban)

Salaries for nine full-time, highly dedicated caregivers who ensure the children’s safety, security, and health while providing guidance, love and education, 24 hours a day.

Some quick data: The teachers and manager of the House, the highest paid staff members, make $330 a month. The cleaning staff make $220, and others are in between. The average salary in Kabul is $400 a month.

In Conclusion!

Thank you in advance, on behalf of the children and staff of the House of Flowers.