Meet Michael
Michael has a kind, gentle spirit and is a motivated young man. He is an alumni of our pre-gap year program. Life has not been easy for Michael. His father passed away when he was young and he did not go to school for many years. It was a very difficult and hard time. Michael’s mother had no job and she had 8 people to take care of. Their family’s food was what his mother could cultivate at home.
Michael’s aunt Lovita came and took him to live with her. She helped him go back to school. After a few years, Aunt Lovita got very sick and Michael was returned to his mother. Again, life became very difficult.
Finding food to eat again was a huge challenge, so Michael started working in other people’s gardens to try to help his mother get food for their family. One day, while working with his mother, a snake bit her and there was no money to take her to the hospital. Thankfully, Michael’s Uncle Lubinga helped take care of Michael and his family during that time. With the help of his uncle, Michael was able to complete seventh grade.
While in seventh grade, during school holidays, Michael laid bricks so that he could save up money to pay for secondary school. With the help of his aunt, Michael was able to complete a few levels of secondary school but could not continue after she passed away.
God smiled on Michael when he joined Hope of Africa in 2021. The staff of HOA helped him to know who he is and Michael discovered his potential. This not only improved his standard of living, but showed him the love of Jesus. With the discipleship and skills training he has learned from the pre-gap year program, Michael is now more confident. He states, “I can express myself freely and I know how to be a leader in my family and community.”
After the three month, pre-gap year Michael has continued to work with Hope of Africa on our land learning about farming while also continuing to be mentored as he identifies his God-given calling. He is learning skills that help him stabilize his family while serving others in his community.