Pencils. Check. Ruler. Check. Markers. Check. As a new school year edges closer kids look forward to picking out all the school supplies theyll need to begin the term.
Its a rite of passage that two young Hitchcock area girls, Jaylee and Harley Gilbert, hope to provide for school children in Togo, West Africa, through WAKE Ministries Barrels of Blessings.
It all started when Jeff Clark, superintendent of the Hitchcock-Tulare School, and his wife, Michelle, a kindergarten teacher at Hitchcock Elementary, spoke at the Bonilla Presbyterian Church, about their ministry, WAKE (West African Kingdom). The Clarks talked about building churches, visiting villages in the bush country, and supporting small clinics and doctors who often have few supplies. Many children are unable to afford to attend school, and those who can often have few, if any, supplies.
My girls are 9 and 11, and their takeaway was, Mom, they cant even buy their own school supplies, said Brandi Gilbert. That really hit them, they love to buy school supplies. Thats what they came away with from all that they shared.
Jeff and Michelle Clark took their first trip to Togo with a native of the land who spoke at a church they visited. Before we knew it we were planning a trip to Togo with him and his wife, Jeff said.
After that first trip, the couple felt they could do more to help the people of Togo. They formed WAKE (West African Kingdom) Ministries in 2017, a 501-C nonprofit, which ships barrels of needed supplies to the country to be distributed. The son of the couple they took their first trip with lives in Togo and helps distribute the barrels once they arrive.
We write a name and phone number on the barrel telling where they go and their son takes it from there, Jeff said. Its the most efficient way to get things done. We work with locals, they know the language and traditions. Theres lots of Islam influence, there are parts of the country we cant go but they can.
We try to go every three to four years to keep relationships going and form new ones, he added. The couples two sons are also involved in the ministry and have joined them on two mission trips.
Last summer was our most recent trip, Jeff said. We built a church and visited villages weve worked with over the last six or seven years.
The couple have shipped about 30 55-gallon barrels of supplies ranging from building supplies to medical supplies. It costs about $300 to ship each barrel, which can hold up to 400 pounds.
We work with a couple clinics, they provide free health care for anybody, Jeff said. Well send Ibuprofen, Benadryl. In the past we even shipped baby formula and bottles. If a mother quits producing milk the baby dies. We send bandages, rubbing alcohol, Neosporin, peroxide. Were hoping to get a barrel to one of the clinics we work with.
Michelle said the Gilbert girls came to her classroom in Hitchcock last winter following their presentation at the Bonilla church, asking if they could help provide school supplies. The Hitchcock-Tulare school held a supply drive, and this summer during vacation Bible school at the church, children were asked to bring school supplies for an offering and the response was outstanding. Along with five large boxes of school supplies, they also threw in a few fun toys and collected money to help ship the boxes to West Africa.
Jaylee and Harleys cousin, Gabby Gilbert of Huron, also got involved last weekend by setting up a lemonade stand at a yard sale to help raise money to ship the barrels to Togo.
Were passionate about helping those in remote villages, Michelle added. Lots of places share a pond with all the animals, thats where they get their water.
Unlike in the United States, parents must pay for their children to attend school. Those who can afford to go to school often have no supplies to use.
There might be 100 kids in a classroom, but if they cant afford school or supplies, they go work in the field with their parents, Michelle said. There is no Wal-Mart, there is nothing.
This year well be shipping the barrels in October, well have school and medical supplies and tools for carpenters to build churches with, she said. Its called Barrels of Blessings.
The barrels will be loaded on a container ship at Chicago to begin the journey to Africa.
Barrels to collect donations medical, building and school supplies are currently at Emmanuel Church near Doland, Prairie Bible Church near Carpenter, and at Studio Aura by Olivia Shantz in Redfield. Anyone is welcome to stop by and make a donation.
Im so thankful for our little church that stepped up to help in a big way, Gilbert said. It all went to a great cause and made the vision of these two girl come to life. So proud of our girls for doing a small part to make those not as fortunate as us have a little better life.
The students and teachers are going to be blown away by these gifts, Jeff said. This shows that you are never too young to be a world changer.
For more information about WAKE Ministries or to help with the collection, contact Jeff at 605-460-1755 or Michelle at 605-460-1864. Their email is [email protected].
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