At least ten more stand behind me

Our friend Nayman Chavalla, General Secretary of the Iringa Diocese, is fond of telling visiting guests that when we help one student with a scholarship, we are really improving the lives of that student's extended family for years to come.  "When you see me here," he remarked last summer, "at least ten more stand behind me."

We've seen that over the years in our own partnership.

The young man on the right is one example. Early in our partnership, we provided scholarship support so he could attend university.  He was the oldest of six children, all orphans under the care of their uncle, a secondary school teacher with a family of his own. The young man finished college and began to teach mathematics at a highly regarded junior seminary.  Later, he was an instructor at a university.  Through his young adulthood, he paid the school fees for his younger siblings.

One scholarship, at least six who stand behind him.

The young woman on the right was another early scholarship recipient.  She studied business and tourism at a secretarial college in Dar es Salaam, then returned to the Iringa area.  For several years she worked in the reception area of a local safari business.  During that time, she invited one of our traveler groups to her home for dinner.  She was proud to show us that her salary enabled her to live in an area of town where she had running water and electricity.  She told us how she was able to pay school fees for her daughter and her young sister and brother. More recently, she developed her own business, an NGO that matches young volunteers from outside the country with teaching and other service positions.

One scholarship, at least three more stand behind her.

Then we have our friend, Pastor John.  He was a secondary school scholarship student when Shepherd of the Valley first visited Tanzania in 2002. Since then he has completed college and been ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran church.  He supported the three children of his older brother when the brother died, and has provided support for two of his sister's children.  As his parents have aged, they have depended on him for the cost of medical care.  Now his is married, has a child, and their household includes a young sister and young nephew.

One scholarship, and at least eleven more stand behind him.

It's a bit like the loaves and fishes story, isn't it?  One scholarship can create a chain reaction, nurturing so many more lives than first appears possible.

Thank you for the generous gifts you provide so that our scholarship program can provide support for at least 150 students each year....and the ten that stand behind each of them.