Rejoicing with Our Graduates

The best part of being involved with Focus Girls 4 Education is graduation day. Knowing that

another young woman has the tools to begin her new life as an adult encourages us to continue to support girls of all ages while they are on their own educational journeys.

Here at FG4E we believe in the value of different journeys and different destinations. Each young girl is encouraged to work toward using her unique talents to pursue her life's goal, whether her dream is to style hair or to become an engineer.

It is unusual in Uganda for a woman to receive a bachelors degree, especially in engineering. Sharon reports that the TV station where she works has given her a pay raise, and she is now treated with more respect than she has ever known. Her employer is sending her abroad for more training, and then she plans to study English and prepare for the GRE exam.

Betty is probably the first female graduate from her village. For now, she is doing volunteer work while she looks for the right position. (In Uganda it is extremely difficult for a young person to get a job. Some of our graduates have had to volunteer for a year or more before finding the right place.) While she continues to look for employment, Betty plans to study English and then take the GRE.

Doing well on the GRE ensures the offer of scholarships for a Masters program in English speaking countries. Imagine how proud all of us associated with FG4E will be to see our girls earn their masters! (I'm referring to all of us here in the states and all the girls and their friends/family in Uganda.) Their future looked bleak when they first came to Rehema asking to be sent to school. And now they have learned to work toward their dreams and make them a reality.

Presently, FG4E does not have the funds to help Betty and Sharon pursue their education beyond their bachelors. We have to concentrate on the younger ones who have not yet graduated. In the future we may look for volunteer ESL/GRE instructors who would help these young women with their English through a long distance learning program. This is just an idea in the beginning stages--we'll get back to you as the idea evolves into a reality.

A big thank you to all our supporters!!

May your heart be rewarded as you give,

Terri Vaughn

FG4E Secretary