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Rubaga Friends
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Rubaga Friends News Rubaga Friends News Rubaga Friends News Rubaga Friends News
RUBAGA NEWS
from Rubaga Friends
Number 6, February 2010
Contact us
RubagaFriends@gmail.com
520-327-7922
Web-site
www.rubagafriends.org
Tucson group ensures funding of
new kindergarten
Two memorial funds, one for Dr. David Jacoby and one for Roberta Calkins, have donated $1,000 and $21,000, respectively, enough to ensure funding of a new kindergarten building at the Rubaga Community School. These generous contributions make it possible to go through with a long-time needed separation of the pre-school children from the older students. The tiny school site is extremely crowded and far too small for the 280 children.
The problem has become very acute because the government will not accept continuation of the present situation, which is especially hazardous for the smaller children. Failure to abide with the official injunction would lead to revocation of the license to operate kindergarten and could also create problems for the other activities at the school.
Ardis Grob, member of the Rubaga Friends board, has been at the center of all efforts to attract these significant contributions. Ardis was a close friend of Roberta Calkins, known by family and friends as Grammoo Roberta. The memorial fund was established in honor of her positive and lasting impact on the many children she guided during her career and on numerous friends and family members who are very passionate about the kindergarten project. In the future, the fund will be known as Family and Friends of Grammoo.
On February 4, our bank transferred $16,000 to start the building project, which is expected to last 3-4 months. The total support from Tucson will cover more than ¾ of the cost budget. The school reports that local donations will be forthcoming in the form of volunteer labor, bricks, sand and other materials, and proceeds from a fundraiser arranged by the Rubaga Community School.
The building with 3 classrooms, a resting area for the smallest children, a kitchen, a tiny office, and bathroom facilities will be ready for use in June 2010. The building site is a small lot only a few minutes away from the main school.
The new kindergarten not only solves the question related to governmental requirements. It also represents a very real improvement of daily life for the pre-school children and their teachers. And there is plenty of need for the liberated space at the main school.
Thank you to all behind the donations from the Dr. David Jacoby Memorial Fund and the Family and Friends of Grammoo!
Funding of the Basic
Rubaga Friends Program
On January 8, the scheduled support for the first half of 2010, $10,500 was transferred from our bank, Edward Jones Investments. As in the past, the bank management generously waivers transfer costs, worth $200 per year. Improved nutrition and healthcare account for 3/4 of the total support. The chair of the Runbaga school board recently told us that the Primary School graduates did extremely well in the latest final exam after 7th grade. He attributes the good performance to better health and nutrition, enabled by the support from Rubaga Friends.
We avail of means to cover the second 2010 installment of support, which is due in July. But at the prevailing rate of incoming contributions there will not be sufficient means to continue the support program in 2011 at the same level as during 2008-2010.
Therefore, we appeal to all of our loyal supporters and ask for assistance in bringing contributions back to the same level as before the economic slowdown. It is especially critical to expand the group of supporters, so please invite friends, colleagues and others to become part of our program for the 280 needy children at the Rubaga orphanage school.
Annual meeting in December 2009
At the annual meeting it was decided to continue the support program in 2010 on the same basis as in the past.
Membership fee was set unchanged at $100 per year. Membership gives the right to vote and directly influence the work of the organization. In other respects, members and other supporters are treated the same. Rubaga Friends is grateful for all contributions of any size. Every dollar goes a long way towards making a difference for the children in Rubaga.
Names of elected board members are available at our web-site –– www.rubagafriends.org – which also provides details about the children and the school in Rubaga, the support program, and more. This summer, board members will visit Rubaga together with members of the Roberta Calkins family who contributed most of the funds for the new kindergarten. It is likely that the building will be completed in time for the visit.
Hrymfaxe continues to donate
25% of book sales
Hrymfaxe LLC has extended its offer to donate 25% of the price of every book sold to aid our work for the children at the Rubaga school. It is about $6 for every book ordered at: www.hrymfaxe.com
Dances with Wolves, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is among several available titles by Michael Blake. Buy books, enjoy the reading − and support Rubaga Friends!
