We have accepted 19 students into the Scholarship Project for the
2011-2012 academic year. This includes 2 little boys starting kindergarten
for the first time (both wearing blue in the photo to the left) and 8
children in grades 1 through 5* at the Catholic elementary school in Kaffrine. The Scholarship is also enabling 7 middle/high
school** students, some at public schools, some at private schools. In
addition, one young man from the Kaffrine area is attending the University of
Dakar on the Scholarship, and one young woman is going into her second year of
a 2-year nurses’ assistant training program in Kaffrine. We are also excited
that the University student, who is the only baptised believer in his family,
was also able to complete the entire Emmaeus (French Bible correspondence)
course last year.
In our work with these youth and in our conversations with their
parents, we stress the importance of seeking to gain knowledge and wisdom about
the world through schoolwork (i.e., learning French, math, etc.) but also
through studying God’s Word. As we read in 1 Corinthians, knowledge can so
easily “puff us up”; we are to seek to know and love God above all else. For
this reason, all of the young people who are part of the Scholarship Project
are expected to be part of a weekly Bible study group. They are also invited to
participate in other events and activities within the Christian community; for
example, this September, 17 out of the 19 Scholarship students participated in
SIM’s annual Wolof Christian Children’s Camp. During this year’s camp, five of
our older Scholarship students took on significant leadership roles, showing
evidence of spiritual growth and increasing maturity and leadership skills.
We praise the Lord for the work He is doing in these young people's
lives and we pray that He will continue to provide for their education and grow
each one in wisdom and understanding. We are thankful for all of your prayers
and support for this Scholarship Project!
First photo: Elementary school children ready for the first day of school, wearing their new uniforms and backpacks full of school supplies provided by the Scholarship.
Second photo: Katie Garrett organizing school supplies for the Scholarship students
Third photo: Three of the older Scholarship students leading the singing at our Wolof Christian Camp a few weeks ago
* The Senegalese equivalent being C.I. through C.M.I.
** "Collège/lycée" in French.
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