Their Stories

I remember the day my father left us as if it happened yesterday. I was only three years old, and though my memories are faint, I can still feel the void his absence created in our lives. Growing up in a small village, life was already challenging, but without my father, it became even harder. My mother, a strong and resilient woman, took on the immense burden of raising three boys on her own. She worked tirelessly on the farm from dawn till dusk, her hands calloused from labor, yet she never complained. Her only goal was to ensure that we, her sons, had a chance at a better life.

As the oldest, I felt a deep sense of responsibility towards my family. My two younger brothers looked up to me, and I wanted to set an example for them. Despite our hardships, my mother always emphasized the importance of education. She believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty that had ensnared our family for generations.

Balancing school and helping on the farm was not easy. Many nights, I studied by the dim light of a kerosene lamp after a long day of working the fields. I often felt the weight of our circumstances pressing down on me, but I was determined to succeed, not just for myself, but for my family. I wanted to make my mother proud and give my brothers hope for a brighter future.

When I graduated from high school, I faced a new challenge: how to afford college. I had always dreamed of becoming a teacher, of imparting knowledge and inspiring children in the same way my teachers had inspired me. But the cost of college seemed insurmountable. Just when I thought my dream might slip away, a beacon of hope appeared in the form of Tree of Life.

Tree of Life is an organization dedicated to helping families like mine. They provided me with educational assistance, which covered my tuition fees and allowed me to focus on my studies without the constant worry of financial strain. But their support did not stop there. They also provided my family with food packs and sacks of rice, easing the burden on my mother and ensuring that my brothers did not go hungry.

Their support was especially crucial during the COVID-19 community lockdown period. With the pandemic crippling the economy and making it even harder for my mother to earn a living, Tree of Life stepped in once again. They provided us with essential supplies and continued their financial support, ensuring that my education could continue uninterrupted and that my family remained nourished and healthy during those difficult times. When face-to-face education shifted to online learning, Tree of Life provided me with a laptop, enabling me to keep up with my studies and stay connected with my professors and classmates.

With the help of Tree of Life, I graduated with a degree in education. Standing on that stage, holding my diploma, was one of the proudest moments of my life. It was not just a personal victory, but a triumph for my entire family. My mother’s tears of joy and my brothers’ cheers echoed the significance of that achievement.

Today, I am a teacher. I stand before my students every day, reminded of my journey and the importance of giving back. I strive to be the kind of teacher who can make a difference in their lives, just as Tree of Life made a difference in mine.

Tree of Life’s generosity changed the course of my life and provided my family with the stability we so desperately needed. But there are many more families out there who need help. Your donations can provide children with the education they deserve and families with the food security they need. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a tremendous impact.

Please consider donating to Tree of Life. Together, we can create more success stories like mine and help lift families out of poverty, giving them the tools they need to build a better future. Thank you for your support and for believing in the power of education and compassion.

Juliet’s father died of tuberculosis, leaving her and her elderly mother to work a small farm. Work on the farm didn’t leave Juliet much time for school. Tree of Life for the World installed a clean water well in her village, cutting down on the daily walk for water, and leaving Juliet with more time for school. With perseverance and help from TOL, she was accepted into college and recently graduated with a degree in social work.