From Fear to Freedom
Our mission is to see lives transformed as young people are freed from fear, hopelessness, and despair. Join us in celebrating the amazing changes we have seen in Selina and Ester’s lives!
Selina
Selina and her brother Samuel slept fearfully under bushes at night, scared of those who might abuse or abduct them. At the age of just nine, Selina and Samuel lost both of their parents, and after their older brother disappeared they were left to survive on their own. A kind man took compassion on the two siblings and brought them to City of Hope. Tragically in 2017, Samuel died unexpectedly after a short illness. However, during the grieving and funeral process, Selina reconnected with her older brother. He gave his life to the Lord after seeing the hope, love, and care at City of Hope!
After being one of the first students to study at our secondary school, Selina graduated and then attended a girls’ leadership program in Nairobi, Kenya. Selina is now in her first year of college, where she is studying pharmacy, and she also is deeply involved in ministry at her church, where she is the lead singer in the choir. After a childhood filled with fear, loss, and despair, Selina has now found lasting hope, freedom, and joy!
Ester
Ester is one of more than 2 million orphaned children in Tanzania, losing both her parents at a young age. Ester was taken to live with extended family members but was cruelly treated, forced into servitude, and prevented from going to school or church. Tragically in Tanzania, forced servitude and abuse are often accepted by girls and women as a part of life. The family eventually kicked Ester out and chased her away – but, thankfully, she came to City of Hope, where she would find freedom, healing, and education. Here she was finally free to be a child - to play, dream, and make friends.
Today, Ester has completed a one-year early childhood program and is a teacher at a remote village where she is equipping young children with the tools they need to build the lives they dream of. Ester’s message to the world is, “Serve God - because you’re special to him!”
When Tragedy Becomes Triumph
Both of these exceptional HopeCo graduates faced immense tragedy in their lives, but they are now able to pursue their passions and live a life full of joy and freedom. Quality education is the quickest path out of poverty and into a life full of opportunity, possibility, and freedom.
Would you make a gift to our Independence Fund?
This fund provides scholarships for excelling students as they seek to further their education after graduating from our secondary school. The average cost for a year of university is $2,500, and you can help provide higher education for one of these students. Let us know if you want to continue being part of raising up leaders who will be “changemakers” in their communities, families, and workplaces!