Demse, Age 18, Grade 12
Demse has now graduated from Studio Samuel’s Training for Tomorrow program and is currently a Grade 12 student preparing to sit for the national examination, which is a very rigorous process that determines students’ future path. If students don’t pass the national exam, they can’t join university. Demse is determined to pass the exam and join university. With this, she will be the first from her family to join university.
Last summer, Demse also had the opportunity to gain practical work experience at a garment factory with the sewing skills she learned from Studio Samuel. This experience helped her to make money and cover her school supplies and help support her family with meals, home goods, and basic necessities.
Being a Studio Samuel student has deeply influenced Demse’s academic and career aspirations. Through group and individual counseling sessions, she witnessed firsthand how psychosocial support can help people and heal from trauma. “The counseling support helped me and my friends to heal from trauma and the challenges we were facing.”
Demse also said, “Participating in debate class and Teen Talk sessions also helped me build confidence and improve my communication skills.”
Inspired by her counselor at Studio Samuel and the positive changes she saw in herself and her friends, Demse is now focused to pursue higher education in psychology. She hopes to become a therapist who can support other girls facing such challenges.
As she prepares for her national examination, Demse is studying hard to pass the national exam and join university.
Thank you. Your support has played a vital role in Demse’s journey and success.
Reqiq, Age 17, Grade 11
Reqiq has now graduated from Studio Samuel’s Training for Tomorrow program and is currently a Grade 11 student, continuing her education. Although she has graduated from the program she regularly returns to Studio Samuel to use the computer lab and library when she has school assignments, which shows her continued engagement and commitment to education.
The skills Reqiq gained at Studio Samuel are already creating opportunities for her to support herself and her family. She has seen significant improvement in her school performance, strong attendance, and more participation in class. Reqiq is not shy to speak and is actually excited to share her ideas which she said she couldn’t do before. She never knew how little confidence she had until she developed these skills and sees how important they are, especially for a girl in her community.
Reqiq says, “The English language and the tutoring has a significant impact on increasing my school performance and class participation. And because of my confidence, I now believe I will have a better future. Thanks to White Feather Foundation, I have the chance to learn and grow.”
As she continues her studies in Grade 11, Reqiq remains focused and determined to achieve her goal of becoming a teacher, motivated by the positive impact education has on her own life.
Yayesh, Age 16, Grade 9
The scholarship from White Feather Foundation has made a tremendous impact in Yayesh’s life.
Yayesh has made remarkable progress both academically and personally. Yayesh always had fear—and didn’t know any different. She thought she would have to drop out of school, which frightened her because she saw this so much with girls in her community and the results were too much for her to think about.
She now attends her class regularly and has a counselor at Studio Samuel who helps Yayesh address her anxiety. After focusing on tutoring in different subjects at our center, it has improved her school performance and resulted in more self-confidence.
Beyond academics, Yayesh has gained practical and life skills through Studio Samuel’s
programs. She has learned how to make reusable sanitary pads and has demonstrated how to use them to other students before distributing them in different schools. Through this initiative, Yayesh has helped other girls stay in school, minimize absences to avoid drop out and show them how to confidently manage their periods.
Yayesh said, “I used to be very afraid of dropping out of school. Thanks to The White Feather Foundation, I no longer fear leaving school. I now have the skills to support myself later and also use those skills now in my part time embroidery and sewing job which helps my mom in small amounts financially while I get to stay in school.”
These experiences have strengthened Yayesh’s confidence and leadership. She remains determined to complete her education, pursue a career in architecture, and one day support her mother, just as she has been supported.
Photo courtesy of Studio Samuel.
The amount of students awarded Cynthia Lennon Scholarships each year is dependent upon the amount of donations we receive. To make a one-time contribution, or to join The Muse and become a monthly member, start here.