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| Melody with one of her "kids" |
Melody is 26 years old, single ... and content with that current status ... and has made her family from the nearly 40 sponsored students she loves with her life. Not only does she make sure that their school fees are paid, but she continually communicates with the student's sponsors. With a sensitive spirit in regards to the whole needs of her children, Melody is loved by the children and respected by their sponsors.
It is a pleasure to welcome Melody to the NGM keyboard as she bangs out a brief story featuring one of her high school student who is hopes to graduate this year.
Hopelessness defined her life. It was not always this way.
During her primary school years, she was just like any of her classmates. She
was attending school and the future was bright.
As Shakira entered secondary school, she still had hope.
However, as she advanced to higher levels of education, the financial
requirements increased as well. Shakira had a faithful sponsor, but she was on
a limited income. The sponsor was unable to increase her donation in order to
keep pace with the increased education expenses.
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| Melody assessing the financial status of Shakira's family |
Last year Shakira realized that her father would not take responsibility
for even the smallest of her school expenses. Her mother is a peasant who digs
in the garden to provide food for the family. She has no means of income. When Shakira became aware her father had no
interest in helping with her education, she said “I can’t wait to leave this
place … but where would I go if I left home?”
For lack of finances to sustain her in boarding school,
Shakira decided to join the day section and travel daily to school by public
means. Attending school was possible for Shakira whenever her mother had money
for transport. The days she had no money, Shakira accompanied her mother to the
garden. Shakira was not able to do her exams because of the tuition debt she
owed the school.
A home intervention was made in January this year. The NGM
staff visited Shakira’s parents to tailor a way forward. From the interaction
with Shakira’s parents, we understood that not only did Shakira’s father lack
interest in her education, he was also financially challenged. He moves from one place to another looking
for work. “He sometimes comes home with nothing. Not even a shilling to buy
sugar or soap. We are financially challenged and I don’t know how to see Shakira
and her siblings through school.” Shakira’s mother informed the NGM sponsorship
coordinator.
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| Shakira ... hoping & praying for additional sponsorship |
Shakira is uncertain about her future. Her education is at
the edge and her mother has given up. NGM sponsorship is not willing to drop
Shakira. She is in her final year of secondary level and needs money for
tuition and school expenses. One school
term is a period of 3 and half months. Tuition fees and school expenses cost $
363 per term.
Would you like to stand with stand with Shakira?
Would you like to make a donation of $20, $50 $100 a month
or the whole $363 per term?
Would you share this cause with someone you know could
contribute to Shakira’s education?
Would you stand with Shakira as a group of friends or as a
family?
For whoever will stand with Shakira or need more
information, please contact at
You may choose to make a donation and send it
to: NGM, 29940 S. Dhooghe Rd. Colton, OR 97017 and please include the name Shakira
in the memo.
Researched & written by Melody Oundo, NGM Sponsorship Coordinator
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