Meet Dylan Otieno of Fortune Learners' Centre
INTERVIEW WITH A FORTUNE LEARNERS' STUDENT DYLAN OTIENO
Meet Dylan Otieno a student who is currently studying at Fortune Learners’ Centre (FLC). The following interview with this student is to learn how attending school at FLC, based on a Global Orphan Relief (GO!) Scholarship, has impacted him.
WHAT NEEDS OF THE CHILD ARE BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP?
At Fortune Learners' Centre the support that Dylan gets from his scholarship is not only school fees, which helps him to stay in school, but also it is like a layered package in which he receives school uniform, lunch food and text books.
HOW ARE THESE NEEDS BEING MET TODAY?
Dylan is currently being supported by the GO! scholarship which enables him to go to FLC to study. Through our partnership he has also participated in remedial classes.
He is also served breakfast and lunch every day at school which ensures a balanced diet and good health which in turn helps him to be more productive and enables him to focus more on his studies which would be hard to achieve if he was hungry
HOW MIGHT YOU DESCRIBE THE CHILD?
Dylan is a very welcoming personality and friendly, he is very laid back and doesn't talk much. He is also very prayerful and loves going to church his favorite scripture is when Jesus fed 5000 people and he loves this story so much because it shows the generosity which he has also experienced and has been shown ever since he joined FLC.
His favorite subject is science and he would like to be a very successful businessman when he grows up.
WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR THE CHILD BECAUSE OF THE FLC/GO! PARTNERSHIP?
Before joining us Dylan had a very rough childhood and going to school wasn't as easy as it is now. He was solely dependent on his single mother who has no job so any income she received was either for food or rent. Going to school became more of a luxury than necessity, but ever since he came to FLC he's very grateful for the opportunity to learn and be in school like his peers and he hopes that one day he can help others the way he was helped.
When he joined FLC his grades were very low and he felt as if he was very far behind compared to his peers. He had even given up on trying to catch up with his peers, but with the help of his teachers and a little persistence he improved tremendously in his performance. He is very thankful for his scholarship because it gave him a chance to stay in school and now he has hopes of not only finishing primary school, but also performing very well in the final exams.
"I'm very grateful for getting this scholarship because I know it's not easy to get one and I know there are many kids out there who also deserve a scholarship but didn’t receive one. I really feel fortunate and like I have to prove myself to everyone that I don't take this for granted and make them proud "
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CURRENT OR FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR THIS CHILD?
Dylan needs support after he is done with primary school to ensure he stays in school because he has a fighting spirit and he really wants to proceed with his education. Financial constraint is his biggest challenge -to have support after his done with FLC will really be life changing for him.
WHAT OUTCOMES WILL BE DESIRED AND HOW WILL THESE BE MEASURED PRIOR TO THE CHILD DEPARTING OUR INITIATIVE?
Dylan has undergone a successful transition from the person he was before he joined us. He is now more confident as a person and can communicate his views freely. Also with the school feeding program, his attendance at FLC has ensured that he stays healthy. He has also improved much in his academics, In addition, in terms of spiritual growth, he has grown so much and is more understanding to the teachings of God and believes everyone has a purpose.
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We have been serving orphaned children at Fortune Learners’ Centre since January 2020. We currently support 67 orphaned children on Scholarship to continue with their education with this partner. We do support another 112 children through a WASH program also provided at the school. In 2022, plans include another 54 scholarships for this school.
As of November 2021, 467 students attend school in DR Congo, Kenya, and Zambia, supported by our Scholarship Initiative. Education is critically important for breaking the cycle of poverty, and can be instrumental in providing hope for the future. Education last a lifetime!
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at 2021 Scholarship Fund.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE