Please Note- The video talks a lot about raising funds for the high school and vocational school. This phase has been completed. Please watch the video anyway because it will give you a good idea of what the schools are all about and what we are trying to do to empower them there.

Gracia Schools were founded in 2004 in Tangerang, Indonesia by Indonesian native, Pastor Steven Pantow. Pastor Steven saw a great need in his community to break the cycle of poverty around him and create a refuge for children to learn and grow. To do this he built a pre-school and elementary school that still thrives today and is a beacon of light for the community of Tangerang.

In 2011, Casey Grimes, a native of Arkansas was traveling in Indonesia and had a very serendipitous meeting with Pastor Steven. They became fast friends. Casey then worked alongside Pastor Steven at the school a few days a week and soon Pastor Steven showed him his vision and the need for a junior high school to be built. Casey then traveled back to the United States to help raise the money for doing this. Along with the help of individuals and churches from Arkansas, a junior high school was soon built growing the existing preschool and elementary school from 160 to over 240 children collectively. 15 more teaching positions were created bringing the total number of teachers and assistants there to 28.

In June of 2015 construction of a much needed high school and vocational school was finally completed on the same grounds as the other schools. The number of students now exceeds 300 and the teaching staff hovers at right around 50. With the high school and vocational school being completed, these schools will prepare the kids there for college and the jobs available in Indonesia, thus giving them hope and a bright future for themselves, their families and then their community. The schools are becoming more self-sustainable everyday but funds are always needed to help with tuition for students who can’t afford to pay and for teacher salaries. It costs around $200 a year for a student to attend school here and teachers make approximately $200 a month as salary. There is no government assistance for the school and around half of the students pay nothing or very little to attend. Please give if and what you can because every little bit truly adds up. Thank you from our hearts for making a difference in the lives of the children, staff and community of the schools. The difference you’re making is now and for generations to come. The greatest thing one can invest in is our children. They are the future of this world and the future of love.