CMRB Odessa Hills Campground |
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Give Back Hope International News Help Launch These Young Lives Into Their Future For some time now, we at Give Back Hope International have been prayerfully considering how best to equip the young people in our Youth Home to become capable, independent adults—able to support themselves in the challenging economic environment they will face in Malawi. Since opening our doors in 2015, we are now seeing the fruit of that investment. Several of our young people have reached the age of responsibility, with more soon to follow. We are especially proud of one young woman, Chisomo, who is completing her second year at university, studying to become a math and science teacher. She already has promising job prospects, and we are incredibly encouraged by her future. In addition, we have five students—three young men and two young women—currently enrolled in vocational training programs. As they prepare to graduate and step into independence, we have been intentionally teaching them life skills, especially in financial management. To support this, we introduced an Allowance Program. Each student receives a weekly amount to manage on their own, with two guiding principles:
At first, spending was focused on small pleasures like snacks and sodas, which was expected. But as graduation draws near, we’ve seen a remarkable shift—these young people are choosing to save more and think ahead. Each week, they submit an expense report to the Board, tracking both spending and savings. We also asked each student to reflect on their future: where they would live, whether they had family support, and how they planned to earn a living. With limited employment opportunities in Malawi, most expressed a desire to start their own small businesses. To help them prepare, each student created three detailed budgets:
This exercise was eye-opening. They quickly realized how quickly expenses add up. When asked how they would bridge the gap between their savings and their projected needs, each student presented thoughtful, creative plans—raising chickens or ducks, working part-time, running small food stands, or combining multiple income streams. Not one was discouraged. Instead, they showed determination and resilience. Finally, we asked if they felt prepared for life after graduation. Each one responded with confidence—they are ready. The three young men are training as welders, and the two young women as seamstresses. However, one significant barrier remains: the cost of equipment needed to begin their work. They have reached Graduation in April of this year . Our on-site teacher, Mike Chilumpha, has helped us determine the startup costs:
These tools are essential—they represent the difference between having skills and having a livelihood. If you feel led to help give these young people a true start in life, we invite you to partner with us. Contributions can be made to Give Back Hope International and designated to the: Education Fund P.O. Box 108 Independence, MO 64051 Or, you can make a one time donation on our website link to PayPal. www.givebackhopeintl.org Questions or additional information on individual students please send an email to: Your support would be a tremendous blessing and a life-changing investment in their future. With gratitude, Rowena Hughes Youth Vocational Leader Give Back Hope International |
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Mary "Pamela" Price Obituary October 17, 1926 — March 18, 2026 Loving mother, faithful wife, and servant of Jesus Christ, Mary Pamela (Kirksey) Price of Independence, Missouri, passed on to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, March 18, at age ninety-nine, after living a life of devotion and service to the Lord. Pamela was born on October 17, 1926, in Fisher, Arkansas, to Jesse LeRoy and Ethel May (Sanders) Kirksey. As an infant, she was blessed by Elders A. E. Ziegenhorn and S. S. Smith of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). She was baptized into the RLDS Church at age twelve in August 1939. She started serving the Church as a pianist and Sunday school teacher when she was twelve, and she continued serving in various RLDS congregations and independent Restoration branches for many decades. In her later years, she attended Glendale Restoration Branch in Independence, Missouri. Pamela graduated from the Fisher, Arkansas, high school in 1944 as class valedictorian. After moving to Independence, Missouri, she met Richard David Price. They were married on July 6, 1948. From 1949 to 1950, they lived in Washington State where Richard was employed as a teacher and Pamela attended Yakima Business College, before the family returned to Independence. Always eager to promote the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, she and Richard were instrumental in founding Cumorah Books in 1975 and Restoration Voice magazine in 1978, which were both dedicated to that goal. She served there as a board member and editor until 2001. In 1984, she and Richard founded Price Publishing Company, and in 1989, they opened the Restoration Bookstore and began publishing Vision magazine. Pamela remained active as a contributing member and decision maker on the company's board of directors to the very end. Richard and Pamela co-authored several books, including the set of books, Joseph Smith Fought Polygamy. In addition, Pamela wrote many books and articles of her own, and edited hundreds more. As a result of their combined writing efforts, as well as their establishment of the Restoration Bookstore, Pamela and Richard kept alive the fundamental beliefs of the RLDS Church. Pamela was predeceased by her husband, Richard; both parents; her sister, Rachel Ione Brewer; and her brothers, Joseph LeRoy and Nathan Paul Kirksey. She is survived by her brother, Anthony Richard Kirksey and his wife, Marsha, of Lebanon, Missouri. She is also survived by her three children: Amelia Fay (Price) Villers, of Independence, Missouri; Lila Rae (Price) Costa and her husband, Albert, of Forney, Texas; and David Mark Price and his wife, Charney, of Newton, Kansas. She also leaves nine grandchildren: David Villers and his wife, Sarah, of Independence, Missouri; Norman Kaleimamahu and his wife, Ashley, of Forney, Texas; Keenan Costa of Dallas, Texas; Matthew Price and his wife, Joanna, of Wichita, Kansas; Dustin Price of Wichita, Kansas; Victoria (Price) Gilmer and her husband, Josh, of Jacksonville, Florida; Tiare Akana of Oahu, Hawaii; Jason Blank and his wife, Crystal, of Spring, Texas; and Aaron Blank of Wichita, Kansas. In addition, she leaves eleven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th Street, in Independence, Missouri. The funeral service will also be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The burial will follow the funeral and will be held at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, Missouri. Donations in memory of Pamela Price may be made to Price Publishing Company (or Restoration Bookstore), 915 E. 23 rd Street S., Independence. |