February Impact 2016 by UnboundOrg

IMPACT FEBRUARY 2016

Lenfrida, a former sponsored youth from Tanzania, found the courage to follow her passion in life.

PERSONAL C HOIC E

FINDING A PATH TO SUCCESS S

That was exactly the scenario that

and was not sure whether the decision

faced 18-year-old Lenfrida, a former

I was about to make would be wise. I

sponsored youth from Tanzania, when

was scared that my mother would be

she decided to leave traditional schooling

disappointed in me, as well as Unbound.”

and pursue a career as a hairdresser.

Despite her fears, Lenfrida knew that

“I was not performing well [in school],”

traditional schooling wasn’t the right fit for

Lenfrida said. “The harder I tried to

her and she prepared herself for a difficult

improve on my performance, the more

conversation with her mother, Eliwelu.

ometimes the right decision can be

frustrated I became. My grades were not

Eliwelu is a single mother of four and

hard to make, especially when it has

anything to be proud of. I felt I was letting

supports her children with the income

my sponsor and Unbound down.

she makes from her small café. She

a major impact on your future and goes against expectations. And the pressure only intensifies when you have to tell others about a decision you think might be unpopular.

According to Lenfrida, the decision to drop out of school wasn’t an easy one. “I decided to quit after I failed my form two examinations. I felt so discouraged

wants to see all of her children succeed in their educations. Eliwelu is supportive of her daughter’s decision, but admits it wasn’t quite what she hoped for. (continued)

9 WAYS YOUR SPONSORSHIP EMPOWERS A FAMILY

INVEST IN THE FUTURE

As a sponsor through Unbound, you create opportunities for your

Norilyn from the Philippines graduated with a degree

sponsored friend and family to work toward economic self-sufficiency

in business management thanks to the scholarship she

and reach their goals for the future. The sponsorship program partners

received from Unbound. She is the first person in her family

with families in nine key ways. Learn about the nine characteristics of

to graduate from college, but hopes her younger siblings

Unbound’s program and how your sponsorship empowers a family. See

will follow in her footsteps. Visit unbound.org/education

the special insert enclosed with this issue of Impact.

to help other scholars achieve their dreams.

(continued from front)

Lenfrida practices her hairdressing skills on her mother, Eliwelu.

“I was a bit disappointed,” Eliwelu said. “I wanted Lenfrida to continue with her education. However, I knew she was struggling at school and her performance was below average. As a parent, I knew she needed my approval and support in the decision she had made.” Though she had been nervous about telling her mother, Lenfrida felt completely supported after talking to Eliwelu about the situation. “I

have

always

loved

hairdressing,”

Lenfrida said. “It comes naturally to me. It is a talent I have. … My mother was quite supportive. She understood that I was having challenges at school and encouraged me to pursue my passion in hairdressing.” It was that support that gave Lenfrida the confidence she needed to enroll in a certificate course so she could learn additional hairdressing skills and gain the certification needed to get a job in the field. Her mother’s support also helped her when it came time to tell the Unbound staff about the change in her education plans. For

younger