Category: Scholarship

Hope for the Island has been uniquely blessed to journey alongside many from early childhood through to adulthood. Something beautiful happens when a place of belonging is created and life is shared together! We know well the long term impact nurturing relationships can have in helping shape the life of vulnerable individuals. The scholarship program has been a critical component for high school students struggling to overcome educational and financial hurdles. It is a joy to witness our scholars develop confidence to victoriously walk out their goals (Rom 8:37).

Meet a few of our scholars…

Chaira is a remarkable young woman! She was one of the many kids who came running from town, down the once dusty road, to attend our kids gathering at Hope for the Island. Torrential rain or the fierceness of the sun did not hold her back. Chaira would be there bright eyed and eager to learn and apply what she received. I can remember her coming often with bunches of flowers that she excitingly picked along the way to give to our team. She always found a way to help with the younger kids during teaching or activity times. Chaira has stayed on a steady path of growth and remains a valuable assistant in Kids ministry.  She serves with the youth at her church and is a great leader amongst the current group of scholars.

Maila is full of joy and spunk! She came to Hope for the Island also as a small child.  It was at a time of deep emotion and confusion because both parents abandoned her and her younger brother. Some of our team who experienced similar loss helped walk Maila through that season.  She spent every waking moment at Hope in those beginning years.  She took hold of God’s word with confidence and has allowed God to use her gifting as a leader. She is thankful for the chance to pursue the goals she has for her future!

Randy (Blue shirt) and Jimmy (grey shirt) are good friends.  It is their first semester as scholars of HOPE. They have been growing in their faith being part of youth ministry and felt the need to take school more serious.  They are great addition to the group and thankful for the opportunity to be supported.

Scholarship Program

Hope Scholars’ first semester was a great success! It’s rewarding to see the program running smooth and bearing even more fruit!

Extra time is now being dedicated to regularly visiting each student’s home. This allows us opportunity to walk alongside and disciple the scholars and minister to their family.

Because of the strong winds and heavy rain over this season, many students struggle with illness.  On our scheduled reward day there were quite a few scholars that weren’t even able to make it because they were so sick. Please keep these young people in prayer. Most of them have compromised immune systems for numerous reasons. That combined with all that monsoon season stirs up is a challenge for all islanders.

We were blessed to hear testimonies from the parents attending the reward day. They expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support that they receive from Hope for the Island. Hope is stirring in their hearts as they witness changes in their children. Slowly but surely that destructive and oppressive cycle is being broken!

We are witnessing our scholars’ lives already making an impact. This can be seen in their relationships with others students as well as with their teachers and the community.

Students are starting to understand that they are stewards of Hope facilities that they enjoy each week as well as with the support they receive. They are grasping the idea now that each action and attitude they have determines the future they will walk out. Thank you to all who pray for and make this scholarship program possible through support. You are a valuable part of altering the course for generations to come!!

Chaira is an outstanding scholar of Hope for the Island.  Out of a grateful heart, she lovingly serves as an assistant in our weekly Kids Ministry programs. It is beautiful to see how she comes alive while teaching the children.

Chaira balances a full schedule and models well to other students that hard work and faithfulness pay off. During her free time, she can be found at Hope praying, singing worship songs and leading by example.

Continue to pray for her as she perseveres in a community where education is not given the priority deserved.  Pray that God will continue to sustain her needs and keep her dreams alive!

Michelle is another scholar that exemplifies great character and leadership.  Even at the young age of fourteen, Michelle shows a resolve and maturity found in adults. She wakes up early each day to prepare food for her family before going to school.

Michelle is very responsible and kind-hearted.  Her favorite subject is English.  Even though Michelle faces many daily hurdles, she perseveres with her dreams to study Hotel and Restaurant Management in college after high school. 

As with most students, the focused reason to   attend college is to help their poverty stricken family. Pray that Michelle will come into a greater understanding of her identity in Christ.  She battles with low self esteem at times. She faces frequent bullying in school. Michelle longs for good friends who can understand her and support her to achieve her dreams. Although she is deaf and mute, she knows God loves her and created her for a purpose. She regularly thanks Hope for the Island staff for accepting her like family and walking her through the process of forgiving those who have wounded her. She has said that even though others may not understand her, Jesus does and that is why she has strong faith and is confident facing each hardship. When visiting Michelle’s home, her mother expressed joy and appreciation because of the many ways she has witnessed transformation in her daughter’s life.

 

Video:  Scholars Say Thank You

 

 

With an increasing burden to see youth graduate and for them to get plugged in at HOPE, we took a huge step of faith this school year. We opened our Scholarship Program to every single high school student (150) in Burgos.

Criteria is quite simple: High attendance rate in school and our weekly Youth Ministry as well as participating in our scheduled community service initiatives.  Even though it’s not difficult to meet these requirements to be a scholar, this semester only 46 youth received scholarship reimbursements. It goes to show just how much of a challenge education is in the island. For this reason, poverty related issues are amplified.

We had a meeting with the scholars’ parents last week to affirm them for the efforts made and to release funds to cover costs they spent for the first semester. This approach helps them learn the valuable life lesson that hard work pays off.

 

After the meeting our staff asked the parents to write an encouragement letter to their child. Many parents moved to a quiet area to think of the right words to say. Others were not comfortable with sharing their feelings but wrote a quick note in a fun and light manner. Communicating love or encouragement is not common in our island culture.  The students were touched.

The estimated cost per student is $120 for the whole school year. At the moment we do not have the funds necessary to cover each student. Please consider supporting one student for the year. This includes uniform, tuition and school project costs. Please indicate SCHOLARSHIP program when you make your donation. We will keep you updated throughout the school year so you can be praying with us for these students to excel and honour God!

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