When Abed is at school, his grandmother helps him by feeding the goats. On the weekends, he cares for the goats, and even reads to them. Abed sold two goats in 2024 to help pay for his school fees at Hadassah Primary School. He is hopeful that the remaining goats will help him to pay for secondary school next year.
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When Global Village Connect stepped in with a scholarship, everything changed. Annet was finally able to attend school consistently, focus on her studies, and build healthy friendships without constant disruptions. This November, Annet will sit for her national exams, with her sights set on nursing school—a dream now within reach thanks to the support she’s received. 
The turning point came when I got the opportunity to attend the business training with Global Village Connect. I learned how to start a business from scratch and how to manage it. I took this information very seriously, and decided to use it to change my life.
In the training, I learned that I should use a skill to get started. Since I had experience as a motorcycle driver, I approached a gentleman who had a foot injury and couldn’t ride his own motorcycle. I asked to drive it for him until he could get back on his feet. He agreed to let me ride it for a daily wage of $1.40. I rode that bike for 45 days, and I saved every cent. To cut down on home expenses, my wife and I ate boiled food, skipped morning tea, and only used sugar to sweeten our son’s porridge. By the end of the 45 days, I had saved $66 – capital to start my business. After doing market research, I decided to start rearing chicken since I already knew how to take care of them. I started with 50 chicks and half a bag of maize as food for these chicks. I am going to sell these hens each $3.60 by the end of November, and if I sell them all I will earn a gross income of $178. After deducting all my expenses, I will have a net income of $66 just after six weeks. 
Nuala’s family cared for this goat, it gave birth, and eventually they had six goats. For the last two years, they have sold a goat at the beginning of every school term to cover the costs of Nuala’s school supplies and fees. Last May, Nuala sold four goats, which covered both her school fees and enough building materials to construct a small, one-room house. She still has two mature goats, who will produce more goats, providing Nuala and her family with a greatly-needed and reliable source of income and stability.  Nuala's new home 
 As 2022 graduates of the Global Village Connect business training, they were eager to establish a community business that would earn them enough income to feed and educate their children. So they created a savings and investment group together. Members contribute weekly based on their capacity (some as low as $1/week). In 2023, the group applied and was awarded a $10,000 grant from Global Village Connect to the start a chicken farm. Construction of their chicken house was done by June this year and they immediately got busy. Having successfully sold their first batch of 400 chickens this October, the women took $10 per household for living expenses and reinvested the remaining profits to increase their inventory to 500 chicks. "I will use my share of the profits to complete my daughter's school fees since the term is almost ending," stated Monica. "I am going to keep saving money because I have a plan of starting my business of selling sand since there is no one doing that business in our village, " explained Sarah. If all goes to plan, the women expect first year profits of $3,600 and the following year to expand the chicken inventory to reach the building’s capacity.
Sarah explains, "My scholarship gave me a chance to go to school and concentrate on my studies. Because I stay in the boarding school, I have light to read by at night and three meals to eat every day. I am working hard to ensure that excel and become a nurse."
At Global Village Connect, we do more than provide scholarships. We offer ongoing support, checking in with students and helping them overcome challenges when their families can’t. Most come from homes where education beyond the sixth grade is rare. For many, like Sarah, a scholarship is their only chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future. 
A bright and determined student, Muhammed caught the attention of the Headmaster at Tikkun Olam Primary School, who recommended him for a scholarship. Thanks to Global Village Connect and the generosity of our donor Toni, Muhammed has had the opportunity to continue his education. Toni didn’t just support him financially—she met him on one of our community trips, deepening their connection.
Now, Muhammed is excelling in high school and is among the top students in his class. His teachers have high hopes for his performance in the 2025 national exams. School has also given him the chance to thrive in extracurricular activities, including playing for the school’s football team. At Global Village Connect, we do more than provide scholarships. We offer ongoing support, checking in with students and helping them overcome challenges when their families can’t. Most come from homes where education beyond the sixth grade is rare. For many, like Muhammed, a scholarship is their only chance to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future. |
AuthorBecause of donors like you, Global Village Connect changes lives every day. Here are a few lives you've changed. Archives
December 2024
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