“Because of Hagari, My Dreams Are Alive” by Sarah
When I think about my life, it’s like reading a book with two very different chapters— one before Hagari, and one after.
In the first chapter, my world felt small. School was not a place I could belong to—it was something I only watched from a distance. Every morning, I would see other children, dressed neatly in their uniforms, walking to class with their books tucked under their arms. I would stand at the doorway of our home, my heart aching, wondering if my life would always be defined by “what could have been.” My family barely had enough for food, let alone school fees or supplies. My dreams felt like stars—beautiful, but impossibly far away.
And then… the story shifted.
Hagari entered my life like a light piercing through a long night. They didn’t see me as a statistic or a burden—they saw me as someone worth investing in, a seed that could grow if only given a chance.
From nursery school to now, as I complete Senior Three, they have paid my school fees, bought my books, and placed hope in my hands.
But their gift was more than education. They became my family. They taught me values that shaped not just my mind but my heart—patience when life is slow to change, persistence when the road gets steep, and faith when the path ahead seems uncertain. They didn’t just help me—they helped my mother, too. They placed a sewing machine in her hands, turning her skills into income. They filled our home not only with opportunity but also with the Word of God. Through Bible study, they gave us a foundation stronger than any storm.
Because of Hagari, my dreams are no longer distant stars—they are within reach. I have learned that every hurdle can be a stepping stone, that yesterday’s failures do not define tomorrow’s victories. I now believe I can change my life, support my family, and give back to my country.
I have learned to love as I have been loved—to serve, to share, and to lift others as I have been lifted. My greatest wish is to pass on the same gift that was given to me: the chance to rise above poverty and step boldly into a future filled with possibility.
To my Hagari family—thank you. Thank you for your sacrifices, your belief in me, and your presence in every season of my life. I am who I am because you chose to care. My success will forever be your legacy.
