Meet our Christel House students

MEET OUR STUDENTS Jayalakshmi S. Christel House India - Bangalore 10th Grade Jayalakshmi is a very responsible and diligent student. She has good communication and interpersonal skills, as well as being a talented dancer and painter. She holds a leadership position in the school and is one of the top students in her class.

Jayalakshmi’s father is a painter and her mother works as a housemaid. The approximate monthly family income is $133 USD.

Praveen E. Christel House India - Bangalore 9th Grade Praveen is an intelligent and diligent student.

He participates in class activities and interacts well with teachers and peers. He is outspoken and enjoys debates and presentations. Praveen also plays games and sports. He has a practical approach to life and believes in leading by example.

His father works as a delivery man. His mother is a housewife. Praveen is the firstborn child and has a younger brother who is in 6th grade. The family lives in a single bedroom house.

Alex M. Christel House Mexico 10th Grade Alex’s parents are divorced and Alex lives with her mother and her older sister who also studied at Christel House. They share the house with five additional relatives.

Her mother works as a housemaid and earns $117 USD per month. Alex’s father is an employee in a small grocery store. He sometimes visits the girls but doesn’t provide money for their support.

Alex lives in a community where poverty and crime rates are high, and transportation is limited. Alex, her mother and sister share a single room in the family home with the stove located in the bedroom. The floor is made of cement, and the house has a sheet metal roof.

Juan Hector O. Christel House Mexico 10th Grade Hector is an only child. He lives with his mother, stepfather and grandmother, who is 98 years old and blind. His mother has some high school education, but doesn’t work due to sclerosis. Hector’s father is a gardener and infrequently gives money to support him.

Hector’s stepfather sells old things in the street and earns approximately $176 USD per month.

As he is not formally employed, family income is unstable.

The family lives in a community with high poverty and criminal activity. They rent an apartment for $67 USD per month.

Dale F. Christel House South Africa 11th Grade Dale lives with four family members in a shack located in Hanover Park, a community known for its poverty, gangs and drug abuse.

Dale started at Christel House in 4th grade. He enjoys academics, sports and debating. He previously qualified for the Western Province debate trials and enjoys playing both cricket and soccer.

His dream is to become a television journalist. He wants to study at the University of Cape Town as it is one of the best universities in Africa.

Dale’s home consists of one bedroom, a living room, and kitchen area. Dale shares the bottom bunk with his brother Nehemiah, who is 21. Dale’s parents sleep on a blow-up mattress. The home has no bathroom facilities or running water.

Zahrah A. Christel House South Africa 11th Grade Zahrah lives in Manenberg township with her mother, brother and sister. She has attended Christel House since first grade. She wants to become a lawyer and run for President. Zahrah plans to study at the University of Cape Town. She dreams of studying law at Harvard or in Seoul, South Korea.

Zahrah’s family lives in a house that previously belonged to her maternal grandparents. The family has resided in the home for the last 48 years. Zahrah shares a bedroom with her mother and older sister, who has a mental disability. According to Zahrah’s mother, Zahrah’s father was a substance user and as a result had very infrequent contact with her.

Andres N. Christel House Academy South 10th Grade Andres is a current 10th grade student at Christel House Academy South. He has two younger brothers that are also Christel House students. Andres has been attending CHA since kindergarten. His interests include soccer, art, and music. Andres hopes to own a construction business after he graduates from high school and college.

Christel House Academy South serves low-income neighborhoods .

Ashley A. Christel House Academy South 10th Grade Ashley is a current 10th grade student at Christel House Academy South. She has been attending CHA since kindergarten. Ashley has an older sister that graduated from Christel House. After high school, Ashley hopes to attend college to study to be an FBI Agent or a counselor that works with children. This year, she has found a new interest in art and hopes to continue exploring this new passion throughout high school.

Christel House Academy South serves low-income neighborhoods .