Dear Friends,

We are thrilled to share a whirlwind of exciting updates and heartwarming moments from the past  month at The Kostro Foundation. Strap in, because it's been quite a ride!

First off, imagine this: 10 days passed before we discovered that the water system at the children's home atop the mountain had been completely destroyed from within the 130-meter well. The incredible staff there didn't want to trouble us with the news, so they resorted to trucking in drinking and bathing water. While we'd typically expect to hear about such an issue on the same day or at least within a day, these folks took a unique approach. Water is an essential, critical need, and so we wasted no time. We immediately mobilized the necessary funding, and our dedicated teams worked tirelessly to solve the problem. We could dedicate an entire newsletter to this water saga, but we have even more exciting news to share. Hopefully, in the future, we'll get answers to the myriad of questions that arise when a children's home, housing 75 innocent souls, suddenly finds itself without water.

For now, let's shift our focus to the colossal kitchen project. Construction began in early October, and we're on track to furnish it with tables and chairs by early March. I recently visited the site, and I must say, it's nothing short of inspiring. In the months ahead, we plan to create a donor wall, recognizing the generous individuals who have made this dream a reality.

But that's not all! The four of us at The Kostro Foundation decided to step up and make a difference by participating in the Rescue Run on January 27th. We had to rise early, picking up the girls at 4:15 am, but it was all for a fantastic cause. The Rescue Run was organized in support of Human Trafficking Awareness and was sponsored by Zoe International, an outstanding American foundation that does incredible work here in Thailand, protecting at-risk and abused children.

In another remarkable twist of fate, we attended a service at one of the city's larger churches recently. As we sat silently at the back amidst approximately 400 people, I wore a translation earpiece and heard the female pastor begin to talk about The Kostro Foundation and the remarkable work we're doing. Fai and I were in disbelief; they had no idea we were in the audience. It was a surreal, awe-inspiring moment to hear our small foundation being highlighted by Pastor Joy of Karens For Christ Foundation at their Kingdom Church. It reinforced the significance of our mission and the impact we're making.

Continuing our journey, this week, we revisited the mountain with three exceptionally bright and talented international engineers. We delved into the fascinating world of specialized computers powered by the abundant solar energy we generate on the jungle mountaintop. These computers perform millions of calculations per hour, consuming significant energy. By utilizing 5 kilowatts of unused solar power at the children's home, we can even generate some income to offset their expenses. Witnessing this in action sparked numerous ideas and questions in my mind, signaling exciting possibilities on the horizon.

Meanwhile, approximately 30% into a major renovation project in the city. This transformation will soon become an education center, complete with hotel-like accommodations on the second and third floors. These accommodations will help fund our ongoing projects, ensuring our mission continues to flourish.

Quietly, we have also been creating a Macadamia brand this month. But more on that next week!

And this is just January, my friends! We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and for being part of our journey. Together, we're turning dreams into realities, making a profound impact on the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more exciting updates from The Kostro Foundation!

Warm regards,

Jimmy Kostro & The Kostro Foundation Team