What if intentions equaled results? What if you could simply wish your results into being, and become whoever you wanted to become and get to where ever you wanted to go?
This sounds nice, but it’s not reality.
Part of life’s journey involves overcoming what has been passed down generationally, pushing through plateaus or bumps in the road, being willing to change when you get it wrong, and getting back up when life doesn’t go your way (again).
At Oasis, we believe the best in the children we serve, and have high hopes to help them become whoever they want to become. But, we are frustrated by the results.
Our intentions have said, “You are loved, therefore you will succeed.”
Our intentions have said, “Life hasn’t been fair, therefore you deserve a better future.”
Our intentions have said, “You are safe now, therefore things will change.”
But, this isn’t reality.
The overall grades in Kenya aren’t cutting it. Only .05% of students scored an A on the national exam for placement into college, and even worse 86% are scoring a C- or less. This test that, unfortunately tries to define their future, determines the quality of the high school a student will attend. The better the high school, the better the opportunity. The worse the high school, the less opportunity and access to quality options.
For children with trauma, these statistics get even worse.
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If you have ever taken a privilege test (we recommend doing so), then you’ll notice a typical question has to do with the number of books you grew up with in your household (among many other similar questions). At Oasis, we used to believe you could love a child out of poverty or lack of opportunity, but that was naive.
An at-risk child can have a home and three meals a day, but without access to quality education, the cycle of poverty will continue. We’ve seen the discouraging numbers. For many, they form an impassable mountain between self and opportunity.
So, what does this mean?
Click here to see the vision to bring a school to each of our three care centers in Kenya. Schools that will serve the children living on-site, children in Oasis guardian programs, and local children from the community. We have seen massive success in this model at The Valley, where we piloted this idea. Students are scoring higher on tests. They are enjoying the process of learning and exploring their interests. And, they are doing it all within a program that nurtures their physical, spiritual, social, and educational needs.
We want to #RaiseTheGrade.
Will you partner with us to make a tangible impact today?
Click here to donate!
Stay tuned for more on the impact a poor quality high school can have on a child.
