The Beginning of the Education Project

I first got involved with Global Renewal in 2020. I was planning to take a trip to visit some of the Selah Houses to assess the students’ educational needs. Unfortunately, due to the Global Pandemic our trip was canceled, but our team didn’t let that stop us from finding a way to help further the education goals of our students.

Because schools had shut down, our students were unable to attend school - they did not even have an online learning option at the time. We decided to provide a fun way to connect volunteers and donors in the United States with our students to tutor them in English, be mentors, and encourage them in their future goals.

Our volunteers created their own lessons and taught the students English lessons over Zoom. They shared fun songs, Bible verses, and prayed with them. The Education Project has grown from this humble beginning to supporting around 40 students in two countries with volunteer teachers teaching a variety of classes: English tutoring and conversation, English Classes, Business English Classes, Computer Skills, and Craft Classes.

Many of our teachers have volunteered with us for three years or more, having classes as early as 4:00 in the morning! It has been a pleasure serving Global Renewal as the Education Project Director for these four years. We have had four students graduate from their private schools this year, and through this program they have built the confidence to dream for greater opportunities in their lives.

One student is applying for a scholarship to become a chef. Another has grown so much in her English skills she is able to translate for those who come to visit. She plans to go on to university and is studying to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with the help of her online English teacher.

- Rebekah Fischer, Education Project Director