Rosemary has helped Access to Success with building a path towards success for hundreds of children over her years volunteering and working for A2S.
This path extends beyond academics to the overall well-being of our community members. This past summer on the Vision Trip, Jennifer, one of our board members, saw a way we could give back to Rosemary. At last Rosemary, more often known as Mama Edes, was able to see the fruits of her labor in a concrete way.
Mama Edes is a full time sanitarian at the After School Academy, but has been with A2S long before the Youth Center opened. Before A2S had a building of its own, she was a dedicated volunteer with the After School Academy when it was hosted at Gospel Life Bible Church. While she volunteered, her child attended the After School Academy for many years. She is also a participant in our Adult Literacy class, a relatively recent addition to the Youth Center. It is helping parents learn to read and write, particularly parents like Mama Edes who never had the chance to attend school themselves. The Adult Literacy class is run with the goal of expanding parents’ agency, and allowing them to help their children with their homework.
Mama Edes caught the attention of Jennifer on last summer’s vision trip.. With a background as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, Jennifer noticed Mama Edes squinting at the board. She immediately thought of her teaching experience, and realized it was reminiscent of young children showing signs of vision challenges.
Jennifer pulled our staff aside. She shared her concern that Mama Edes was likely having difficulty seeing the board. Then our team took action. Ada, our health personnel, gave Mama Edes an eye exam and determined that Mama Edes needed glasses. She also had concerns about potential glaucoma. Thanks to the swift response and generosity of our donors, Mama Edes now has the eye drops and the glasses she needs for improved vision. Many parents in Nigeria might struggle to afford glasses, especially for their children whose sizes and vision change quite a bit as they grow older.
Jennifer’s keen observation and compassionate response also demonstrates what it means to be a Godly steward. At A2S, we believe in a ministry mindset. While we interact with many individuals, the broadest way for us to reach even more is to make sure that those we mentor and care for are Godly stewards of their time, talents, and treasure, by meeting people at the point of their spiritual and physical needs.
