Bright colours, music, dancing, gowns, speeches and award presentations were all part of the festivities at the celebration of the first class to graduate from the Light Up Ahead school in Kantolomba, Zambia.
What a great milestone for the Year 7 students who finished nine years of schooling to achieve their graduation. And what a great sense of accomplishment from the proud sponsors who faithfully supported these children all the way through their schooling.
It has been a remarkable journey to follow the lives of these young ones from the time we enrolled them in 2009 as little children and now to see them as young adults who are looking to the next chapter in their lives. These children were chosen from the poorest of the poor, and through the feeding and education program provided by the families of Swan Christian College, they now have an opportunity to succeed.
In November each of these students will sit their Secondary School entrance exams in English (which is a second language). Next year most of them will go to High School and some will start work, but all of them now have a solid start through the investment made in them by their sponsors here in Australia.
If you would like to sponsor a child to receive meals and education, for a tax-deductible contribution of $40 per month, please contact Ray Hockley to receive further information.