Eva Gloria has an uncommon boast – she was the second child sponsored when our Neema site opened in 2008. She won her ‘silver medal’ when she was five years old and in kindergarten.
“Through the sponsorship program, I was provided with uniform and shoes, school bag, and books,” says Eva Gloria. For a few years, her family got by. But when her father died – when Eva Gloria was ten – her mother, Brandina, struggled to take care of her family.
Then an interesting change happened. Chalice began rolling out our ‘family funding’ model of sponsorship to all sites. Instead of giving Eva Gloria a uniform or a backpack, we placed the decision-making power in Brandina’s hands and connected her to a Chalice family circle.
Brandina’s Chalice family circle, appropriately named “Tumaini” (Swahili for hope), opened doors for her that she had never thought possible. Through the group savings and loans program, she saw an opportunity to launch her own small business.
“It was a big relief for my family when my mother joined Tumaini B circle group,” Eva Gloria remembers. “For the first time, my mother accessed some credit from the circle group to set up a small tailoring business.” Ever since, Brandina’s grown her business and has earned a devoted clientele.
“Through the sponsorship program, my mother got an opportunity to open a bank account,” she says, where she banks her sponsorship funds and her income.
“The financial literacy education has helped my mother to save and plan for the family finances to ensure she provides her children with the basic necessities – particularly education, nutrition and other basic necessities.”
Meanwhile, Eva Gloria excelled in her studies, especially in physics and chemistry. Dreaming of becoming a doctor, she earned a spot in med school! She is currently in university and enjoying her studies. She credits her Chalice sponsor for being her ‘tumaini.’
“You gave me hope and I worked hard in my studies to achieve my dream,” she says. “I am grateful for your willingness to invest in my future. Your support has enabled me to pursue my dreams and to achieve my goals.”