Local Christian Organization Seeks to Raise

Education Level of Impoverished Children

By Micah Maupin

What can one person do to change the lives of children around the world? How can one person help educate children and introduce them to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Some of us began asking these same questions. In answering them, the Christian Foundation for Education (CFE) was formed. The cost of a child’s education in Africa can be as little as $100. But this is beyond the reach of many families in countries like Togo, Liberia, Rwanda and Congo. In these countries, war, oppression and poverty have left many hopeless about their children’s future.

CFE’s goal is to provide financial and spiritual support to children and youth who are impoverished, to help them achieve a sound education and go on to be leaders in their spheres of endeavor. CFE’s founders, Macklann and Rose Bassé, share a heart for impoverished children and deeply desire to see God restore the lives of these children. When the Bassé’s enrolled in seminary to receive Bible training in 2003, they received many emails expressing the needs of their own community in Togo. They both began to pray more earnestly about how they might best help.

Macklann and Rose felt led to support these children through education. With the help they received from students at Covenant Seminary, the Bassé’s were able to support twenty children for the 2005-2006 school year. Since then, God has connected CFE with many different people and churches to provide financial support for more and more orphaned and impoverished children.

Because of the growing population of refugees in St. Louis and their involvement in Macklann and Rose’s church, New City Fellowship in South City, the Lord has given CFE increasing opportunities to engage with different people groups and partner with their home churches. Recently the Lord has brought many Burmese refugees to New City Fellowship. As friendships have grown, CFE has been made aware of the great need for assistance in caring for the orphans in their country. CFE was able to begin supporting seven Burmese children this year. These seven kids are being cared for by a Christian family in Burma at great cost and sacrifice to themselves. CFE has been able to come alongside this family and help provide an education for the kids they have taken in. With the support of their local church, CFE is working to ensure a Christ-centered foundation in their education while they attend government schools.

Currently CFE helps support 134 children across eight African countries and Southeast Asia (Burkina Faso, Congo, Liberia, Togo, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, & Burma). CFE is committed to connecting these children to educational institutions that provide quality education, and when possible, this is done in the context of the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus. When Christian schools are not accessible, local churches provide the spiritual guidance through after school programs and weekly worship. The churches also provide for basic needs such as food and shelter.  Once a year, a CFE representative is able to visit a country where children are supported, provide training for local pastors, meet the children and spend time worshiping with the local churches.

Contributions of $100 cover the cost of books, uniforms and tuition for a full year for one child. Without this support these children would not have the opportunity to get an education. Receiving an education lays the foundation for these children to one day become the leaders in their communities and beyond. CFE doesn’t know all the details of what God will do through these children, but CFE does know that God is calling them to care for impoverished and orphaned children.

The Lord tells His rescued people: “The LORD defends the rights of orphans and widows. He cares for foreigners and gives them food and clothing. And you should also care for them, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:18-19 - CEV)

One way that CFE raises funds is through an annual garage sale. This is an opportunity for many churches and individuals to get involved by donating their ‘stuff’ to the sale or volunteering at the event. Last year, through CFE’s partnership with more than ten area churches, they were thrilled to raise $10,000. This year the garage sale will be held on July 25th at New City Fellowship located at 1483 82nd Street in University City from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CFE is excited about this year’s garage sale and plans on having international food from many countries at the event. They also plan to have BBQ from StarBQ in Kirkwood. It promises to be a fun day for the entire family! Currently CFE is accepting donations at multiple drop-sites around the city. Check out our blogspot www.cfeducation.blogspot.com for the most up to date locations. You may also email us at micahmaupin@sbcglobal.net or call (314) 776-6881 if you would like items picked up. Those who wish to make a tax deductible donation may send them to New City Fellowship, 1142 Hodiamont Ave., St. Louis, MO 63112. Please make checks payable to NCF with CFE in the memo and let us know if you would like a tax receipt.

Micah Maupin is the Co-director for the Christian Foundation for Education and may be reached via email at micahmaupin@sbcglobal.net or by phone at (314) 776-6881.