February Impact 2016

IMPACT FEBRUARY 2016

Lenfrida, a former sponsored youth from Tanzania, found the courage to follow her passion in life.

PERSONAL C HOIC E

FINDING A PATH TO SUCCESS S

That was exactly the scenario that

and was not sure whether the decision

faced 18-year-old Lenfrida, a former

I was about to make would be wise. I

sponsored youth from Tanzania, when

was scared that my mother would be

she decided to leave traditional schooling

disappointed in me, as well as Unbound.”

and pursue a career as a hairdresser.

Despite her fears, Lenfrida knew that

“I was not performing well [in school],”

traditional schooling wasn’t the right fit for

Lenfrida said. “The harder I tried to

her and she prepared herself for a difficult

improve on my performance, the more

conversation with her mother, Eliwelu.

ometimes the right decision can be

frustrated I became. My grades were not

Eliwelu is a single mother of four and

hard to make, especially when it has

anything to be proud of. I felt I was letting

supports her children with the income

my sponsor and Unbound down.

she makes from her small café. She

a major impact on your future and goes against expectations. And the pressure only intensifies when you have to tell others about a decision you think might be unpopular.

According to Lenfrida, the decision to drop out of school wasn’t an easy one.

“I decided to quit after I failed my form two examinations. I felt so discouraged

wants to see all of her children succeed in their educations. Eliwelu is supportive of her daughter’s decision, but admits it wasn’t quite what she hoped for. (continued)

9 WAYS YOUR SPONSORSHIP EMPOWERS A FAMILY

INVEST IN THE FUTURE

As a sponsor through Unbound, you create opportunities for your

Norilyn from the Philippines graduated with a degree

sponsored friend and family to work toward economic self-sufficiency

in business management thanks to the scholarship she

and reach their goals for the future. The sponsorship program partners

received from Unbound. She is the first person in her family

with families in nine key ways. Learn about the nine characteristics of

to graduate from college, but hopes her younger siblings

Unbound’s program and how your sponsorship empowers a family. See

will follow in her footsteps. Visit unbound.org/education

the special insert enclosed with this issue of Impact.

to help other scholars achieve their dreams.

(continued from front)

Lenfrida practices her hairdressing skills on her mother, Eliwelu.

“I was a bit disappointed,” Eliwelu said.

“I wanted Lenfrida to continue with her education. However, I knew she was struggling at school and her performance was below average. As a parent, I knew she needed my approval and support in the decision she had made.”

Though she had been nervous about telling her mother, Lenfrida felt completely supported after talking to Eliwelu about the situation.

“I

have

always

loved

hairdressing,”

Lenfrida said. “It comes naturally to me. It is a talent I have. … My mother was quite supportive. She understood that I was having challenges at school and encouraged me to pursue my passion in hairdressing.”

It was that support that gave Lenfrida the confidence she needed to enroll in a certificate course so she could learn additional hairdressing skills and gain the certification needed to get a job in the field. Her mother’s support also helped her when it came time to tell the Unbound staff about the change in her education plans.

For

younger

sponsored

members,

education is one of the main focuses of the Unbound sponsorship program. For most sponsored youth, this means going on to secondary school and possibly college.

But our staff members around the world understand that traditional education isn’t the right fit for everyone. For some, like Lenfrida, other educational options

“I feel so happy doing hairdressing. It has been my passion for so long, and having an opportunity to go to school and learn more about it is an opportunity that I don’t take for granted.“ — Lenfrida

are better suited to their talents and goals.

When Lenfrida discussed her decision with Unbound staff members in Tanzania, they were understanding and supportive of her plan.

“Each student’s goals are different,” said Amanda Heter, a regional project director for Unbound. “For example, some students may choose to study at a formal university or college, but for others they may enroll in a vocational or technical

has some regret over her choice, but

and learn more about it is an opportunity

training

Unbound

she’s made a commitment to herself to

that I don’t take for granted. I thank

program strives to do is provide support,

remain positive and focus on what she’s

Unbound for supporting me.

resources and opportunities that will help

passionate about. Since leaving school,

“I encourage my siblings to put effort

students enter the workforce prepared so

Lenfrida has completed her hairdressing

in education. Though I dropped out of

that they can become economically self-

certificate and found a job doing what

[traditional] school, I believe that a good

sufficient in the long-run, regardless of

she loves.

education can open up doors for success. I

course.

What

the

their choice of career path.”

“I feel so happy doing hairdressing,” she

also believe that God has given us different

Sometimes, when she sees her friends

said. “It has been my passion for so long,

talents. If one can exploit what they have

going off to school together, Lenfrida

and having an opportunity to go to school

inside of them, they will excel in life.”

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