Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.
Even though it looks a bit different this year, graduation season is in full swing! High school, university, trade, and workshop graduates are all excited to put their hard-earned skills to good use. This week, we’re highlighting our 5 top photos of graduates that we’ve collected from our sites! From musicians, to bakers, to teachers, each future has been forever changed through the gift of education.
#5: Be sure to wear your caps, gowns, and smiles!
We captured this photo on a past trip to Bolivia, where graduates were all dressed up for their special day. Our “Hope for My Future” program offered assistance to many young students from our sites in Bolivia pursuing higher education at the Universidad Católica San Pablo in La Paz. Graduates have gone on to work in business, finance, sales and other careers in administration and management. These young professionals will be the leaders of Bolivia’s future!
#4: From sponsored child to songwriter
After completing high school, Serhiy, a former sponsored child from our Ternopil site in Ukraine, decided to pursue a career in music. Serhiy’s kind sponsor kept in touch with him throughout his music degree by writing him many encouraging letters. After graduating, he went on to become a songwriter and keyboardist in a Ukrainian band. The popular group is constantly on tour, both in Ukraine and abroad!
#3: Baking for a better future
Last year, a group of 26 mothers had the opportunity to take a cooking and baking course at our CMAVIL site in Paraguay! Over the span of several months, mothers attending classes to learn how to prepare healthy meals, how to cater for large groups, and learned specialty skills such as pastry and cake decorating.
A simple but emotional graduation ceremony was held at the site, where certificates and kitchen tool kits were given to start the mothers off on their own culinary adventures.
#2: Student becomes teacher!
When Melanie was growing up, she was sponsored through our Samar site in the Philippines. With the help of her sponsor and scholarships she earned, Melanie completed her Bachelor of Education degree three years ago. Today, she teaches grade six at her old elementary school! She loves encouraging her students, especially those facing the same kinds of difficulties she had.
#1: Spectacular sewing skills
Sr. Amala, our Madurai site director, proudly presents Arockia with her certificate for completing the Skills @ Chalice tailoring course. Arockia has learned how to make beautiful garments for all ages, handicrafts, and jewelry which she can sell or rent to women for special occasions. She and her classmates are excited to have a new skill which they can use to support their families!
Follow Chalice on Facebook and Instagram for daily updates from our sponsor sites, impact stories, and more! Be sure to check back next week for another Photo Friday.