Oaks Christian students support kids in Congo




FROM THE HEART—Lexi Johnston, left, with Esther Ntoto and the ceramic pieces that she crafted into necklaces to sell as a fundraiser.

FROM THE HEART—Lexi Johnston, left, with Esther Ntoto and the ceramic pieces that she crafted into necklaces to sell as a fundraiser.

Many U.S. school children have no idea where Goma, Congo, is located.

Oaks Christian Middle School sixth-grade student Lexi Johnston became acquainted with Camille and Esther Ntoto—an Orange County-based, Congolese missionary couple—who are the founders of Africa New Day.

Lexi was inspired to make a difference in the lives of the Congolese school children. She started Global Friends for Change, a nonprofit organization that allows her to raise funds and offer small Christian items for sale to support children in Congo.

Her OCMS classmate Addie Smithers joined her in the effort. This fall, they raised enough money to send six children to school at Generation Hope, which operates under the Africa New Day organization.

“Change starts with one person,” Lexi said.

Last October, Lexi spoke about the needs of the African children to a group of women and more than 75 home-schooled children at an enrichment program at Mariners Church in Irvine. Her goal was to raise at least enough money to send one child to school, but she left with enough donations to educate four Congolese children.

Lexi and Addie made clay Bible necklaces and sold enough of the jewelry to send another two children to school. Lexi also made 28 necklaces for each of the children at Generation Hope and for missionary Tamara Salvio.

For more information, visit www.globalfriendsforchange.com.


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