Daystar Covid-19 Update: Join Us in Prayer

"“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 ESV

Hello Daystar friends,

We are touched by the compassion and concern that you, our Daystar community, has shown for all Daystar students and staff. We are thankful to God for many who have already given to support international students. You have given $4,505 so far toward this need. We are humbled how you have responded to this opportunity God has given to serve, even as we all experience challenges here in the US.

UPDATE: Daystar University

Kenya currently has announced they have 81 cases of COVID-19 (corona virus), with one reported death. Laban has sent me the information from the Kenyan government, which has announced both a stay at home order and curfew. The Kenyan President has announced a small economic assistance package, which includes lowering the sales tax, assistance for the elderly, a lowering of the 30% tax rate for those making less than $250 a month, etc. Unfortunately this will not be enough as so many people were struggling financially before this started. President Laban has let me know that the unemployment rate is around 53% in Kenya! The curfew is causing issues, as many Kenyans (especially those in the slums) are not aware of the pandemic, and the police response has not been kind or gentle.

All schools have been ordered closed and Laban has let me know that most of Daystar's staff and faculty members are working from home. There is a core group of staff members who are remaining on campus. Laban and his CFO are personally monitoring the campuses and the situation on-site.

There are Daystar students who cannot go home, such as refugees, orphans, and international students (e.g., Laban told me that both Rwanda and Burundi had closed their borders, so those students would not be able to return home). Currently, there are 55 of these students. Our goal is provide $19,000 to support these students in this crisis. We invite you to join us in giving toward this need and sharing this need with other friends who may be interested.

Additional updates and prayer items:

Currently, 800 of the 1,096 Daystar classes have transitioned to the online platform.

40% of students are struggling to access the online learning platform, including students living in the slums, those without access to computers and those who do not have a smartphone. He also said buying data for a phone or internet plan could also be too expensive for some students (only around 19% of Kenyan households have Wifi).

Collecting fees is difficult because of students who are currently not in the classroom and have never used online access wonder why they are paying school fees. Families are also struggling with school fees with the current economic situation and the uncertainty that is looming. Laban let me know there are currently 392 students who cannot make their school fee payments.

UPDATE: Daystar U.S.

The governor of Minnesota made a “stay at home” order beginning on March 28th through April 10th. Our Daystar U.S. staff will primarily be working from home for these days. General phone calls and messages will be assigned to one staff member per day. Our new phone system allows us to receive/make calls from our mobile phones, as well as check messages remotely. Please feel free to call or email with any questions and/or comments.

Thanks for your prayers during these challenging days! Please share how we can be praying for you and your loved ones as well.

Blessings,

Alan 

Alan Cooke
Executive Director
Daystar U.S.
Alan@DaystarUS.org
952-928-2550

Covid-19 International Student Relief Fund

Please join us in reaching our goal of $119,000 to meet the immediate needs of our International Students and to assist so many more whose families are being impacted because of COVID-19.

55 International Students are unable to travel home to be with family.

392 students cannot make their school fee payment as a result of the current economic situation and the uncertainty that is looming.

Your gifts multiply the impact of Daystar’s mission to educate Christ-centered servant leaders to transform Africa. Thank you for being part of our Daystar family!

Give with confidence!

Daystar U.S. is top-rated by Great Nonprofits and meets the Seven Standards of Stewardship set by the ECFA.

STOCK DONATIONS, ENDOWMENTS, & PLANNED GIVING

STOCK DONATIONS

Firm Name:                        RBC Capital Markets

DTC Number:                     0235

Name of Account:           Daystar US

Further Credit:                  302-29952

RBC Wealth Management

Cove Capital Group

There are several benefits to donating your stock to Daystar U.S.:

+ You'll be giving a valuable gift with no out-of-pocket cost.
+ You'll capture the value of your stock and stop worrying about market ups and downs.
+ You'll receive an income tax deduction for the full amount of your gift.

ENDOWMENTS
Our scholarship endowments are the financial building blocks to help Daystar look to the future with confidence.  An endowment gift is the single most important way to make the university available to students for years to come.  As the endowments grow, Daystar can expand its ability to challenge and nourish lives.  When you help with a deferred gift, you take a very personal stake in the kind of education that builds Christian character as it creates an environment of academic excellence.

PLANNED GIVING
Through planned gifts you can support Daystar University while improving your financial security. In fact, just one planned gift can return an immediate tax deduction to you, plus lifetime income for you and a loved one, plus long-term financial support to Daystar.

We're here to help you get started with your stock donations, endowments, and planned giving!
Contact us at Nancy@DaystarUS.org or 952-928-2550