Voices of those given a chance
Our students tell how education changed their lives.
Voices from Pakistan
Nazish
Nurse — Farooqabad School
I come from a large family and my parents could not afford to send me and my four siblings to school. We lived not far from the school in Farooqabad, and after my parents learned that children could receive scholarships from generous people in Iceland to study there, my father spoke with the school's management and I was enrolled — with the dream of one day becoming a nurse.
I was enrolled in 2006, and after finishing high school I continued to receive financial support when I began nursing school in a nearby city called Sheikhupura. After completing my nursing studies I was given a job at a private hospital in the same city.
Looking back, I am so grateful to have been given this chance to make my dream come true. It seemed impossible, but with the help of my school and my sponsor the dream became reality. My life and my family's life have been changed for the better — thank you.
Najma
Treasurer and master's student — Machike Boarding School
After I finished elementary school in my village, the dream of continuing my education seemed unrealistic. I am one of seven siblings, and my parents' priority was meeting the daily needs of the household, not paying for our education. However bleak the outlook, I kept hoping that something would happen to change my circumstances so that I could study.
In 2007 I heard about the Machike Boarding School, and after contacting them I was given a place and the chance to live in the dormitory, where I received three meals a day and had my other personal needs met. It was a dream come true, and so I gave everything I had to whatever was asked of me.
After completing my bachelor's degree I was given a job at the same school as treasurer, and I am now studying for a master's degree in education. I thank my sponsor in Iceland for believing in me and giving me the chance to study; it has changed my life.
Voices from The Philippines
Grazel Anacan Arnaez
Teacher — The Light Christian Academy, Binalbagan
I come from a family of nine, and when I started at The Light Christian Academy Manapla we were living in a one-room house. I have four brothers and two sisters. My father worked as a truck driver on about 2,000 Philippine pesos a month, and my mother stayed at home and cared for the family.
I entered The Light Christian Academy as a first-year junior high student (grade 7). My experience of the school was very positive; the teachers were so patient with us and exceptionally conscientious in helping us with our studies and teaching us the basic values of the Christian life.
I have now completed a university degree in education and hold a teaching licence in the Philippines. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that I now work as a teacher at The Light Christian Academy in Binalbagan; it is so rewarding to be able to give a little back to the institution that played such a large part in changing my life for the better.
Jezyl Tumala
Assistant finance officer — The Light Christian Academy
I was in fourth grade when I started at The Light Christian Academy Manapla. At the time my father worked as a labourer in the sugar cane fields and my mother helped him as best she could while looking after the household. With a family income of 2,000 Philippine pesos a month it was simply unthinkable that my sister and I could study.
It was through The Light Christian Academy that I was able to complete a university degree in information technology, and my sister finished a two-year college course. I am now happily married with two wonderful children, and I am proud to work at The Light Christian Academy as assistant finance officer, while my sister works as dormitory supervisor at the same school.
We are glad to serve at the school that gave us so much and gave us the chance to make our dreams come true; thank you for believing in us.
Jovan Amihan
Science teacher
I am the youngest of three siblings in the Amihan family. My parents have worked as day labourers with no secure income from day to day or month to month. Given the family's finances, a formal education was a distant dream.
In the middle of hardship and hopelessness, in 2011 I was given the chance to continue my studies at The Light Christian Academy Manapla, where children with no other options were given the opportunity of a formal education, free of charge. With years of support, including through university, I graduated in 2018 with a bachelor's degree, and today I am a science teacher.
I am so grateful to the supporters in Iceland who made this milestone possible. Your help matters, and so I want to encourage you to keep helping other students facing difficult financial circumstances.
Micah Rivera
Sales representative
I am the eldest of five siblings and was born on 7 January 1998. My father worked as a labourer and my mother looked after the children at home while we were growing up. In a large family with an uncertain income, it always felt as though we could never receive a higher education.
That changed when we were given the chance to study at The Light Christian Academy, free of charge. With the continued support of my sponsor and the school I was able to complete university, graduating with a bachelor's degree majoring in computer technology in 2019.
Today I work as a sales representative at a private company. I am better off because of the education I received, and I am deeply grateful for all the help I was given over the years, because it allowed me to reach my goals.