My name is Terry. I am 13 years old and an 8th grader at [REDACTED] School. When I grow up, I want to be an engineer and get a well-paying job.

My mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer a couple of years ago. Before she got ill, she used to work as a washer, hand washing people’s clothes. She stopped working when her health got worse, and we had no income. We lived in poverty. The only time we got to eat was when people came to visit with food. My mother worried day and night about not having food on the table and for not being able to pay my school fees. Recently her health has gotten worse, and on top of that she makes herself sick with worry about the fact that she has nobody to help her raise us.

My mother always prays to God to help us through all of this, and finally her prayers were answered when International Samaritan came to our rescue. They gave me a scholarship which covers my school fees, my food, clean uniforms and all the school supplies I need. I even have a mentor to help me with my studies and was enrolled in a life-skill training program. My mother is still sick, but she is no longer making herself worse with worry, and we no longer are starving.

I am committed to my education and to becoming an Engineer. Thanks to your continued generosity, my journey will be easier. I thank you very much for all your help and guidance.

Why Angelica Runs

By Mike Tenbusch | September 29, 2020 For over 12 years now, Angelica Cancinos has been the conscience of our work through her leadership of our Paso a Paso scholarship program in Guatemala.  I met with her in Guatemala before taking this position, and the power of...

Why He Walks

By Mike Tenbusch | September 24, 2020 Last week I shared a reflection on life from one of our scholars to give you inspiration for why we are running the IntSamGlobal5k.  You may have been thinking, “That’s great for them, but there’s no way I’m going to be able...

Why We Run

By Mike Tenbusch | September 2, 2020 I was stunned last week when Selam Terefe sent me the winning entry of the essay contest she organized for our scholars in Ethiopia.  Azeb (pictured above), one of our 9th grade scholarship students, wrote: What is the Perfect...

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