By Ellen Daniels-Howell – Project Leader

Many of the students supported by the Global Interfaith Partnership are unable to complete their primary and secondary education in the traditional 12 years. Their schooling is disrupted by family illnesses and deaths, the many challenges of extreme poverty, and, for many girls, cultural pressures to drop out of school after 8th grade, usually to marry young and have children.

It is rare for a student to return to school after dropping out. However, hear Everlyn’s remarkable story:

“My name is Everlyn. My father died in 2002 leaving my mother as a single parent to nine children.

“When I was 14 and had completed 8th grade I got married and had two children, Gregory and Donald. My husband died in 2008 while he was still very young, so, like my mom, I was left alone to raise my children.

“My boys were enrolled in the [Global Interfaith Partnership] school lunch program in 2009. At that time a member of the staff approached me and proposed that in addition to supporting my children [Global Interfaith Partnership] would support me if I went back to school.

“I jumped at the opportunity!

i am currently in my final year of high school and an active participant in the journalism club and the Christian Union Club in addition to fulfilling my duties as a mother. Sometimes students tease me because I am much older than them and because I am in the same grade as my younger brother, but I know that God has made a way for me to continue my education.

“My dream is to become a high school physics teacher when I complete school, and I am so thankful for the new beginning and second opportunity I have been given.”

Everlyn now is in her final year of high school, and will take the national exam in November. Your financial support has made Everlyn’s dream possible, and we are confident some day she will become a teacher. We thank you for your generosity!