Oliva is a sociable 23-year-old tackling her second year in a clinical medicine program. With a knack for connecting with people, she thrives in her chosen field of community health. Her compassion came easily, but her path to this point was not so straightforward.
She faced an unimaginable series of tragedies. In four years, her father, mother, and older brother died. She moved in with her brother, his wife, and their four children. It is a warm and supportive home, and Oliva feels very close to her family. “I do know and experience the love and care that I receive from my brother’s family and my sister,” Oliva says. “This love keeps us close together, supporting one another. As much as possible, we spend quality time together and are there for one another in good times and in bad times.”
Even still, she’s aware that her brother and sister-in-law have to prioritize their children’s needs, and she’s grateful that her Chalice sponsor helped her cover her education costs and pitched in to the household budget. She’s been sponsored through our Mbinga site since she began kindergarten, almost 20 years ago.
Everyone was thrilled when Oliva was accepted into medical school so she could pursue her goal of becoming a doctor. But her university tuition costs strained her family’s limited resources. Oliva was anxious because she thought she’d have to drop out. Sometimes her brother skipped paying school fees for his children to keep his sister in university.
Thanks to everyone who supported students through Chalice’s gift catalogue, Oliva received the gift of ‘continuing education.’ The Mbinga site team visited her bearing a cheque for her tuition, and her first response was to pray for the gift catalogue donors.
“Let us pray for the givers,” she said. “Their hearts are good, and we need to ask God to remember them, bless their homes, their workplaces and give them peace and good health.”
“Though I was sad and discouraged, I am now full of happiness and joy. I have this new feeling that I will complete my education.”
Education helps children escape poverty. By giving ‘continuing education’ through our gift catalogue, you can help students like Oliva complete their studies, serve their communities, and build a better future for themselves and their families.