Are There Alternative Learning Opportunities for Children?
"Wow the child is growing up so fast!" You are very likely going to say this some way somehow, when you receive a photo of your sponsored child. That is true, kids do grow up fast, and their needs in learning and education change too as they age: preschool education, basic education, extracurricular interest development, higher education or life and career skills training, etc.
World Vision not only takes care of young children's needs, but also strives to help children who are coming of age, or those who cannot receive formal education due to poverty and family needs, to gain the learning opportunities they need. Now we are going to show you how 2 former sponsored children experienced life transformation and grew up!
Dirshaye, football player from Ethiopia
Dirshaye's father died young, and her mother raised her and her five siblings alone. Life was not easy. After Dirshaye became a sponsored child, she received letters and care from her sponsor through World Vision Hong Kong. World Vision also provided Dirshaye with supplies for her to go to school. In addition, she also participated in workshops on personal growth and child protection, where she learned to build self-worth and protect herself. Besides providing water resources and improving livelihoods for her family and community, World Vision also taught her family about hygiene, parenting, and prevention of child marriage, etc., which all supported Dirshaye's growth. In 2021, our office in Ethiopia shared the good news that 19-year-old Dirshaye no longer needed to be sponsored because she was signed by a local football club to become a football player and could start her career while going to school.
Symphora, tailor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Having also lost her father, Symphora and her three younger sisters were raised by her mother who was a teacher, and the family struggled financially. Since she was 6, Symphora had been supported by a sponsor from Hong Kong, and received school supplies and tuition subsidies from World Vision. She also participated in personal growth classes and faith classes to build up a healthy self-image and values and learnt to care for others. After graduating from high school, Symphora decided to start working since her three little sisters were all too young. Therefore, based on where her interests lay, World Vision assisted her to learn professional sewing at the National Vocational Training Institute, and she did very well. Now Symphora no longer needs sponsorship, but in her farewell letter to her sponsor, she expressed her gratitude and highlighted the influence moral education had had on her. "In the future, I hope I can open a sewing studio, become a famous tailor, and help other children like me in the community." She said in the letter.
See More: Different Kinds of Learning Opportunities for Various Sponsored Children
Chadrack did not enter school until he was 8. He could not keep up with his studies. Having to repeat twice, he only completed primary school when he was 16. Feeling that studying was not his strength and considering his age, he wanted to figure another way out. World Vision collaborated with a local barber shop to take Chadrack on as an apprentice there. He was provided with basic equipment at the end of the training to help him start his own business. "Soon I will be able to open a barber shop. I hope to earn enough income to create a better future." Chadrack wrote in a letter to his sponsor.
14-year-old Flavio, from Ecuador, (second from right) said, "I hope I can do well in the music industry and show children here that we all have talents. Now I work as a piano teacher in church and I enjoy sharing what I have learnt with other young people." Thanks to the support of sponsors, World Vision was able to establish a music school and hire teachers to teach children in Flavio's community.
(Note: The case will be included in the 2022 annual progress report of the Tiquizambi-Tixan community in Ecuador)
15-year-old Gloria, from India, (middle) said: "We lived in a slum. I was severely burned when I was a child. I was very shy, rarely spoke, and would avoid crowds. Now I can represent my country at the Asian Forum and advocate for children's rights." After Gloria joined the children's group supported by World Vision, she was more confident, gained encouragement and various kinds of knowledge, made new friends, and became an outstanding speaker.
(Note: The case will be included in the annual progress report of the Kolkata South community in India in 2022)
Haziel (left) and Janvie (right) from the Philippines were classmates in primary school. They were both abandoned by their parents and raised by their grandparents. Through World Vision, they were able to receive education. After growing up, Janvie became an excellent speaker and lecturer, while Haziel returned to her alma mater to teach and give back to the community. She said, "My sponsor motivated me to study hard. Now I am a teacher, and I feel very proud. I hope I can inspire students to work hard and pursue their dreams."
Not every child in this world gets to receive an education. Due to factors such as finances, health or a lack of resources, some children in poverty may not be able to go to school or have to drop out prematurely. As companions of impoverished communities, what we can do is to understand each child's situation, and find a solution that addresses the problems, so that all school-age children can receive an education or have other learning opportunities outside formal education.
Although some sponsored children may not be able to excel academically, we believe every child should have an opportunity to grow up healthily, live a good life, and develop their talents. When children build up their self-esteem and confidence, discover their own interests or talents, or acquire a skill, they will be able to create a better tomorrow for themselves, their families, their communities, and even the world.
If there are any questions about sponsorship, or other topics that you would like us to cover, please send us an email at [email protected] to "Discovery Sponsorship Journey". Your questions may become the topic of our upcoming issue!
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Staff in Indonesia present the local situation and their work
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Members of Children's Parliament share their stories
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Children talk about the changes brought by sponsorship
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Sponsors who previously visited Indonesia share about their journeys
We will continue to organise virtual tour in different sponsored childrens' communities, please stay tuned for our future update.
