The reason I came to the Dominican Republic is because my dad died and Haiti is a country where if you don't have a father, people can abuse you. My mother didn't have possibility to help me. Seeing the struggles I saw her go through with us hurt me a lot. That's why I listened to friends who used to always talk about the Dominican Republic and how things were easier to find here, so I was encouraged to come to help my mom. But when I came at the age of 9, my life was very hard. The person I came with made me work making peanut treats to sell on the street every day with a bucket on my head to the point that I didn't have hair on the top of my head. I had a friend named Junior and we sold together. He told me about a group of foreigners that were helping kids in the streets, putting them in school, giving them soccer balls, so he took me there. I was now 14. When I arrived I saw that they treated me well. I first was interested in the soccer but needed school too because I didn't have the opportunity to go before that. Ever since I started in school I never miss a day and am just finishing up with my 7th grade year. I am encouraged to go to a good school with discipline and good teaching at night as I am now of adult age. But I am determined to continue and graduate.

I am a boy aged 19. I am from Itezhi-tezhi. I grew up in Mukalizi Mbala district where I was with my school. My mother was trying to look for the money for my school fee because my father passed away along time ago. I wrote my grade sevens in Kapiri Mposh and did my grade eight and nine in Itezhi-tezhi. l live with my sister. My sister earns living through selling second hand clothes uses it to pay for my school fees for me. I need the scholarship because my sister and mother can not manage to pay for me due to lack of source of income for their businesses, I want to be a teacher with knowledge in different areas Thanks you very much."

The reason I came to the Dominican Republic is because my dad died and Haiti is a country where if you don't have a father, people can abuse you. My mother didn't have possibility to help me. Seeing the struggles I saw her go through with us hurt me a lot. That's why I listened to friends who used to always talk about the Dominican Republic and how things were easier to find here, so I was encouraged to come to help my mom. But when I came at the age of 9, my life was very hard. The person I came with made me work making peanut treats to sell on the street every day with a bucket on my head to the point that I didn't have hair on the top of my head. I had a friend named Junior and we sold together. He told me about a group of foreigners that were helping kids in the streets, putting them in school, giving them soccer balls, so he took me there. I was now 14. When I arrived I saw that they treated me well. I first was interested in the soccer but needed school too because I didn't have the opportunity to go before that. Ever since I started in school I never miss a day and am just finishing up with my 7th grade year. I am encouraged to go to a good school with discipline and good teaching at night as I am now of adult age. But I am determined to continue and graduate.

Christian is under the care of his eldest brother who is currently a third year student at Kenyatta University. His father is a peasant farmer at the shores of Lake Victoria (Western Kenya). His performance at Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) - a National Exams, was sterling but could not afford the fees to a top boys' boarding school he was admitted at. His family settled on a day school where the school fees is manageable, this has not dampened Christians spirits. He still has his dreams alive and in the first exams he did in form one, he emerged the best overall students. Funding through The School Fund will ensure that he remains in school as he works towards joining university.

Perpetua is currently living in Ukwala. She is the third born of the eight sibling. She went to Mathiwa Primary school where she attained 333 marks out of 500marks in 2012. Her father died when she was hardly one month old. The mother is a house wife, only does domestic farming, she is unable to raise Perpetua's school fees. Perpetua is hoping that through your help, she would be capable of paying her school fees attaining the best grades that would help her develop her desired career.

Adeline loves to be silly, make funny faces, and just make others laugh. This stands as a big contrast to her dark days of begging on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Today she is finally able to be a kid and not worry about her personal survival nor providing for her family. Adeline loves Jesus and is thankful for all He has done for her. She enjoys playing soccer and learning new skills from those willing to teach her. She is a genuine competitor and is clearly one of the best soccer players at the girls' home. She also now has a part-time job working as a cook at our guest house once a week. Please pray for Adeline, that the Lord will continue to heal her heart and fill her with His life, love, and grace.