In your mind, when you sponsor a child and make your monthly donations, you are creating a better future for one child. But the truth is that when you support a child, you also create a better future for other children in the community.
Giving back to the community
Let me share Kwame’s story with you. He graduated from the Hope for Tomorrow (HFT) program and later joined ANIDA Ghana after his university education to give back to his community. Kwame has a passion for helping other children in the HFT program since he understands how it is to live without hope.
“Since I completed school, I have worked at ANIDA, and it has been good. Since I joined, we have made a lot of impact. We proposed to ANIDA international to begin a scholarship program to help some selected children who graduate from the Hope for Tomorrow program into the university, and it was approved.”
“Through the scholarship program, five children have been sponsored to attend All Nations University. One child has completed it, and the other four are still in school. Several children who cannot attend university have gone to teacher training schools. A child sponsored by ANIDA is now employed as a nurse.”
In Ghana, Kwame is responsible for communications and logistics. He also leads a team developing another innovative scholarship program that will positively impact the lives of women in the community.
“I am leading an alumni scholarship project for ANIDA’s Women Development Center program graduates. We have done some research and are at the planning stage. “
The feeling of hopelessness
Sadly, Kwame’s parents passed away shortly after he graduated from junior high school, disrupting his plans to continue his education at senior high school. It was as if his entire life had come to a halt. He was fortunate to have an aunt who offered to assist, but there was another issue.
“My auntie had to care for six children, including her children. Going to school was a big challenge. You will not even have the opportunity to go to school or get sacked because of school fees. Even if you can go to school, paying the fees, books, uniforms, and all the necessary items will also be a major challenge. It was a challenge for me.”
Hope for Tomorrow to the rescue
It was through the Hope for Tomorrow program that Kwame was able to fulfill his dream of continuing his education. He reflects on what his life would have been like without the assistance he received from the program.
“When I joined the Hope for Tomorrow program, my situation was not as it is today. If it were not for my sponsor, I don’t think I would get to where I am now. I might have dropped out of school. I might not have been able to attend Senior High School or university.”
“Not all of the children I grew up with in my auntie’s house could go to Senior High School. I have moved forward more than those who did not have the same opportunity I had to attend school. Some could not even complete Junior High School. So, if I compare myself to them, I would say that I am way ahead. You know that when you go to school, you have a lot of opportunities. You know that aside from classroom work, you are also exposed to many things happening worldwide, so it is all part.”
Interested in sponsoring a child? Visit our website’s “Sponsor a Child” section or email info@anida.org for more information.