Over the past 10 years, we’ve walked alongside Fountain of Life through joys and struggles. When we began our partnership, there were just 2 teachers, Priscilla and Magret, operating in 2 classrooms. Over the years, the school began to flourish, hired new teachers, and rented more classrooms for their students. They filled them up with desks, created their own library, and saw children thriving in reading.
First visit to Fountain of Life in 2013
But unfortunately, a series of circumstances brought the school through another season of challenges and they were reduced to 2 teachers again. This is often the reality for community schools in impoverished areas – seasons of growth and seasons of attrition.
But Priscilla and Magret never gave up on their vision for a thriving school. Through our management program, they have developed skills to effectively engage partners and invite them in to their vision. Through proposal writing, social media, and constant communication, Priscilla and Magret set out to find good partners.
At the beginning of the year, Priscilla received a phone call where a new partner committed to pay for 2 more teachers. Priscilla says at first she thought it was a mistake… “Are you sure it’s us? Fountain of Life?” she asked. Then, “I felt so good and thought it must be a dream.”
And to make life even sweeter, a few days later, a second partner came on board and said we will hire 1 more!
Last month, they went from a team of 2 to a team of 5. And the results are already evident!
Students are excited that they have new teachers to help them learn, and their attendance is already going up. Parents have taken notice and the contributions to the school are increasing. With more income, Fountain of Life can develop and sustain a thriving learning environment again.
Magret admits her relief at finally being able to do her job again, “It’s been so long since I was able to type and print tests for all the grades. But now, I can.”
It’s amazing to see the renewal happening before our eyes. With the commitment of the partners and the shared workload between the teachers, Priscilla and Magret have a new energy to pour in to their students.
This is a prime example of our model of work – we walk alongside each partner school and help them navigate their distinct challenges in order to achieve sustainable practices of quality education. We train and mentor them with skills. But more importantly, we provide a friendship that gives encouragement and hope during the hard times.