Francis came under our wing several years ago, in 2014. At the time, he was at a crossroads, finishing high school and considering college. Despite his strong determination to be independent, he had no means of earning money or receiving financial support from his family. The Student Adoption Program was his only chance.
Thanks to the wonderful people who allowed him to spread his wings, he graduated in banking and management from a university in the capital, completed internships, and obtained a degree. His knowledge of foreign languages, which he also honed outside of university, allowed him to find a job in an international company, and later in another. Although he was often cheated, including financially, he never doubted that work would make him a better person.
It often happens that local employees are exploited, salaries are not paid, additional conditions are imposed, and commission-based remuneration is impossible to achieve. Even then, he fought for himself and did not allow injustice to be done to him and others.
He never forgot who, apart from his own hard work, he owed his brighter future to – he was the pioneer of remedial classes and tutoring on missions run by students and graduates for younger pupils, he returned to the mission to help the missionaries in their daily work and tasks , such as building a children’s center. Always smiling, always passionate. He inspired others and continues to do so today.
After several years of working in companies, on international projects, and projects carried out for local authorities during the pandemic, he finally found a job at a local non-governmental organization. Here, he found purpose and peace.
We are proud of his achievements and warmly congratulate him on fulfilling his greatest dream—one that is often unattainable for many—the dream of owning his own home. Not a shack. Not a shed. Not a room or a storage unit in someone else’s property. A home.
Yesterday, May 10, Francis moved into his own beautiful home. Goodness returns and has returned to him. He found good people—Spanish volunteers in Cameroon who did all the work for free; he only had to buy the materials from his savings and work.
We wish him fantastic, peaceful, and joyful years in his new home, as well as the fulfillment of his dreams and the achievement of even more! Thanks to him, it is much easier to convince families who are desperate and resigned to poverty that education and hard work will bring results.