Another CGA class has fini
shed primary school and moved on to various secondary schools throughout the country. In the five years that CGA 8th graders have taken their national exams, every single one of our 122 students have moved on to secondary school, a 100% transition rate. Of those 122 students, only one has dropped out of school before finishing. That is pretty remarkable when you consider that in Kenya only 60% - 70% of students who finish 8th grade proceed to high school; and that number is much lower in a rural area like Mbita that has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS and poverty. Out of all the girls that begin 1st grade in Mbita District, only 60% finish primary school, and only 30% finish secondary school. It is obvious that God's hand is upon our children and this ministry. The prayers of our staff and our supporters throughout the world are bringing great results and helping to change lives. It is difficult to imagine what life would be like for most of these orphans and needy children if they were not a part of CGA.
January and early February was a very busy time as we received the results, awaited letters from the schools they were selected to join and held a graduation ceremony. We also spent time preparing them spiritually, academically, financially, socially and practically for secondary school. It is always a fun and exciting time, but also sad to see members of our family go off and begin a new chapter in their life.
This year's class was exceptional for their character, leadership and openness. They were truly a joy to be around. I loved seeing them grow up from the time I first came to Kenya in 2003 when they were in 1st gra
de until now. I had the privilege of teaching them Math in 4th grade, Bible in 7th grade and Math again this past year. They were weak at the beginning of the year, but through their hard work they ended up earning the highest Math score ever at CGA. They finished 4th in the district in that subject, only 0.05 away from third place. Every single student in the class passed their exams.
Growing Up
One of those students was Martin Wanga. His polygamous father died when he was still a baby, leaving behind many wives and children. As a widow, Martin's mother has struggled to provide for Martin and his four siblings. For the past seven years she has been helping me around the house, coming twice a week to wash clothes, clean the house and sometimes cook a meal. When I first came to live in Kenya in 2004 Martin began coming to my house on the weekends just to hang out. He would look through my pictures or read magazines. Sometimes we would go outside and play football or just sit around and talk. It is pretty amazing to me that little boy is now in high school and is not so little anymore. God has opened doors to help him get an education so that in the future he will be able to help his widowed, ailing mother and his younger siblings.
Secondary S
chool National Exam Results
The Secondary School National Exam results were released on Monday, February 28th. Our first graduating class from CGA has officially completed high school. We are praising and thanking God for what he has done in the lives of these children. Many of them were not in school when Don and Nancy Richards found them in the village back in 1997 and decided to start teaching them. From those pioneers, CGA was birthed and is now serving almost 300 students in the primary school and another 100 in various secondary schools, and now... 15 high school graduates.
Without the help of CGA, some of these kids would have never even finished primary school. Now, they have not only finished primary school, but also secondary school. But they didn't "just finish," they excelled!
Over 350,000 candidates sat the exam throughout the country. Fifteen CGA students were among that group and sat the exams at their various secondary schools. Here are some of the highlights of the CGA students:
All 15 candidates scored D+ and higher which qualifies them to go for further training.
11 of the 15 reached the minimum requirement for University C+ (top 25% of the country)
4 of our students scored B and higher (top 10% of the country)
Two students scored high enough to qualify to attend University with the government's support
God has shown once again that He is a "Father to the fatherless and a helper of orphans."
Cynthia Aw
uor's Letter
Just as I did in the last e-mail update, I would like to close this one with an excerpt from a letter one of our students wrote to her sponsor. Cynthia Awuor is beginning her final year at one of the best National Secondary Schools in Kenya. She has done excellent academically and should be one of the top students in the country on her National Exams next October/November. Here is what she told her sponsor:
"The year is finally coming to an end. This is a solid reason to appreciate God for bringing both you and I this far; surely He is Ebenezer. This year has been full of challenges for me; the more I was working hard the more I got challenges and disappointments that weighed me down. But I am not afraid of pressure because pressure is what turns a lump of coal into a diamond, the hardest substance ever known. I still believe in God and in myself. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have nothing to fear but just to trust in God for... 'Blessed is he who puts his trust in God and not in man.' Sometimes when I sit down and look at where God has brought me from and the people he has used to sacrifice for me in so many ways, I just cry and thank God for these special people; one of them being you. Truly you are a blessing to my life. You are an angel sent from heaven for me. I love you deeply. You shall never lack anything. May God keep you safe. May He extend your boundaries and put His good hands upon your life!"
We still have about 15 students that currently don't have sponsors. Would you consider sponsoring a CGA student?
Please pray for:
- Martin and our other 23 students who began high school this past month. Pray for them to find good friends, adapt quickly to their new surroundings, work hard academically and experience God in new and fresh ways.
shed primary school and moved on to various secondary schools throughout the country. In the five years that CGA 8th graders have taken their national exams, every single one of our 122 students have moved on to secondary school, a 100% transition rate. Of those 122 students, only one has dropped out of school before finishing. That is pretty remarkable when you consider that in Kenya only 60% - 70% of students who finish 8th grade proceed to high school; and that number is much lower in a rural area like Mbita that has been ravaged by HIV/AIDS and poverty. Out of all the girls that begin 1st grade in Mbita District, only 60% finish primary school, and only 30% finish secondary school. It is obvious that God's hand is upon our children and this ministry. The prayers of our staff and our supporters throughout the world are bringing great results and helping to change lives. It is difficult to imagine what life would be like for most of these orphans and needy children if they were not a part of CGA.January and early February was a very busy time as we received the results, awaited letters from the schools they were selected to join and held a graduation ceremony. We also spent time preparing them spiritually, academically, financially, socially and practically for secondary school. It is always a fun and exciting time, but also sad to see members of our family go off and begin a new chapter in their life.
This year's class was exceptional for their character, leadership and openness. They were truly a joy to be around. I loved seeing them grow up from the time I first came to Kenya in 2003 when they were in 1st gra
de until now. I had the privilege of teaching them Math in 4th grade, Bible in 7th grade and Math again this past year. They were weak at the beginning of the year, but through their hard work they ended up earning the highest Math score ever at CGA. They finished 4th in the district in that subject, only 0.05 away from third place. Every single student in the class passed their exams.Growing Up
One of those students was Martin Wanga. His polygamous father died when he was still a baby, leaving behind many wives and children. As a widow, Martin's mother has struggled to provide for Martin and his four siblings. For the past seven years she has been helping me around the house, coming twice a week to wash clothes, clean the house and sometimes cook a meal. When I first came to live in Kenya in 2004 Martin began coming to my house on the weekends just to hang out. He would look through my pictures or read magazines. Sometimes we would go outside and play football or just sit around and talk. It is pretty amazing to me that little boy is now in high school and is not so little anymore. God has opened doors to help him get an education so that in the future he will be able to help his widowed, ailing mother and his younger siblings.
Secondary S
chool National Exam ResultsThe Secondary School National Exam results were released on Monday, February 28th. Our first graduating class from CGA has officially completed high school. We are praising and thanking God for what he has done in the lives of these children. Many of them were not in school when Don and Nancy Richards found them in the village back in 1997 and decided to start teaching them. From those pioneers, CGA was birthed and is now serving almost 300 students in the primary school and another 100 in various secondary schools, and now... 15 high school graduates.
Without the help of CGA, some of these kids would have never even finished primary school. Now, they have not only finished primary school, but also secondary school. But they didn't "just finish," they excelled!
Over 350,000 candidates sat the exam throughout the country. Fifteen CGA students were among that group and sat the exams at their various secondary schools. Here are some of the highlights of the CGA students:
All 15 candidates scored D+ and higher which qualifies them to go for further training.
11 of the 15 reached the minimum requirement for University C+ (top 25% of the country)
4 of our students scored B and higher (top 10% of the country)
Two students scored high enough to qualify to attend University with the government's support
God has shown once again that He is a "Father to the fatherless and a helper of orphans."
Cynthia Aw
uor's LetterJust as I did in the last e-mail update, I would like to close this one with an excerpt from a letter one of our students wrote to her sponsor. Cynthia Awuor is beginning her final year at one of the best National Secondary Schools in Kenya. She has done excellent academically and should be one of the top students in the country on her National Exams next October/November. Here is what she told her sponsor:
"The year is finally coming to an end. This is a solid reason to appreciate God for bringing both you and I this far; surely He is Ebenezer. This year has been full of challenges for me; the more I was working hard the more I got challenges and disappointments that weighed me down. But I am not afraid of pressure because pressure is what turns a lump of coal into a diamond, the hardest substance ever known. I still believe in God and in myself. I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I have nothing to fear but just to trust in God for... 'Blessed is he who puts his trust in God and not in man.' Sometimes when I sit down and look at where God has brought me from and the people he has used to sacrifice for me in so many ways, I just cry and thank God for these special people; one of them being you. Truly you are a blessing to my life. You are an angel sent from heaven for me. I love you deeply. You shall never lack anything. May God keep you safe. May He extend your boundaries and put His good hands upon your life!"
We still have about 15 students that currently don't have sponsors. Would you consider sponsoring a CGA student?
Please pray for:
- Martin and our other 23 students who began high school this past month. Pray for them to find good friends, adapt quickly to their new surroundings, work hard academically and experience God in new and fresh ways.
- The teachers and staff at CGA to continue to allow God to use them in the lives of each of the students he has entrusted in our care. Pray for us to make the most of each day so that we can see God's Kingdom come to Kenya.
- My future as I seek God's direction on what to do at the end of this year.
Joe Peterson
Christ's Gift Academy
Mbita, Kenya
e-mail: rockylj@hotmail.com
site: www.CGAKenya.com
blog: www.joekenya.blogspot.com
Joe Peterson
Christ's Gift Academy
Mbita, Kenya
e-mail: rockylj@hotmail.com
site: www.CGAKenya.com
blog: www.joekenya.blogspot.com
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