Our Grand Canyon Synod’s companion synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Senegal (ELS), is doing incredible ministry in Fatick, Senegal—including operating a local primary school that provides essential education to children in the community. Yet many families struggle to afford a basic requirement: books.

In Senegal, students are responsible for purchasing their own workbooks and textbooks—books they cannot reuse or hand down because they are often written in and subject to annual curriculum changes. For just $25, you can provide a complete set of books for one student. A $100 donation equips a family of four. This simple act of generosity gives a child access to the materials they need to learn and grow.

The Grand Canyon Synod’s Global Engagement Team (GET) is organizing this effort to ensure every child at the ELS primary school in Fatick can start the upcoming school year with the tools they need to succeed. All donations will go directly to the school. If we surpass our goal, additional funds will be used to purchase teacher handbooks, supplies, and contribute to needed repairs and expansion at the school.

The deadline for donations is August 20. Donations can be made through the synod office. For more information or questions, please contact Cheryl Jones at 480-620-8126 or reach out to any member of the GET team.

This is a concrete way to live out our Lutheran commitment to global partnership and education. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of our companions in Christ across the world.