IDEAS Associates in China have worked with our Student Sponsorship program for almost a decade. Read an account from one of our Associates on how this program brings compassion and hope to generations of students!

Student Sponsorship: Hope is Contagious!

"Back in 2006 we started the Student Sponsorship program with just a handful of elementary and middle school students from one village.  Since that time, we've expanded to other villages, helped students into and through high school, supported our graduates into their first year of college, and now see these students graduating college and finding jobs. This is transformation!

One of those students from year-one is Hazi. Hazi was in middle school when we started our program in 2006.  Since then, we sponsored him each year including his first year in college. Hazi graduated college last year with a teaching degree and then was able to test into a good teaching job near his hometown.

During my trip this past March, I spent some time with Hazi in his newly opened tutoring center. During this time together Hazi explained that our concern for him and his future inspired him to help others.

After graduating college and starting his teaching job at the local elementary school, Hazi saw the need to help local students. These students, primarily in high school, needed help with culture study, math, science, and other subjects, but many weren't able to pay for high priced tutoring services. Hazi decided to open a tutoring center that would provide free tutoring on weekends to students unable to pay for services.  Using his own money and taking out a small loan, Hazi rented a local apartment and bought some basic equipment. He now has over 30 students from the 2 local high schools, most of whom are provided with free tutoring services.  The money received from the few paying students is used to repay the loan.  Otherwise, all the services are free.  Hazi models his tutoring center after our student sponsorship program in that he helps those who need it most.  He focuses on orphans, those from particularly poor families, and others who are promising students, but are unable to pay.

This is one example of how the Student Sponsorship Program has changed lives.  As more students move through the program we often hear their desire to help others. Concern and compassion is contagious!"

In what ways have you seen the contagiousness of hope?