Elizabeth and Ezekiel raised four children in the coastal Mombasa community in Kenya. The couple worked hard as daily wage labourers to provide for their children, but they couldn’t afford the basic needs. When their eldest, Moses, was ready to start primary school, they weren’t sure how they would cover the fees.
School was a place where Moses could learn, grow, and work towards pursuing a career. They knew education was key to a better future, but the cost of school fees, uniforms, and learning materials were out of their reach.
Moses met the Sisters of St. Joseph at Chalice’s Mombasa site, when he was eleven years old, and was soon paired with a sponsor.
“Through the sponsorship, Moses was able to continue with his education without the fear of being sent back home due to lack of school fees,” says Sr. Janefrances, Mombasa site director.
His consistent attendance was reflected in his exam scores. When he was in grade eight, he had high national exam marks, which opened the door for him to enrol in a reputable high school.
“Chalice was able to put a smile on his face and this gave him hope of achieving his dreams,” says Sr. Janefrances.
After high school, Moses earned a spot in a four-year university degree in the study of information and communication technology.
“Moses worked very hard to be able to achieve his dream and career goal of becoming an ICT specialist,” Sr. Janefrances says. All the while, “his sponsor offered him lots of love and encouragement, and urged Moses to focus on his dreams.”
At 26, his hard work paid off, and he graduated with his undergraduate degree. He’s looking forward to landing an IT job and supporting his parents, who sacrificed so much for him and his siblings.
“Moses is incredibly grateful to God and to his loving and generous sponsor for this achievement,” she says.
“He is so thrilled that his career dream has become true because of Chalice’s sponsorship program,” she says, “together with the support and opportunities that he received from his sponsor.”
Children should be focused on their education, not worrying about whether they can attend school the next day. You can make a difference for children like Moses by supporting their education so that they break the cycle of poverty.
Sponsor a child today and help light the path to their future.