Meet Mrs. Sharon

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

-Matthew 5:16

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2022 was a fantastic year for us at Access to Success because we opened the Youth Centre for use after building it from scratch and going through thick and thin to help bring the dreams of our donors and beneficiaries to fruition. The hands that built the Youth Centre are numerous, and the Access to Success Youth Centre has helped to unify us all. When Mrs Sharon was lending her hands to build the Youth Centre, she didn’t know it would change her life for good.

Mrs Sharon lives in A2S Youth Centre host community, and her funny and smiley nature gets everyone in her community to warm up to her. According to Mrs Sharon, “I came in contact with Access to Success Foundation when the building was getting mapped for construction. I was unemployed then, so I decided to start selling cold water and drinks for the convenience of the workers and staff at the site because the site was far from other stocked shops. When the entire community was invited to the Youth Centre opening ceremony, I thought my journey with the foundation had ended. Still, during the Christmas period, we received a bag of rice, which lightened the burden on my family”.

If there is one thing I love about Mrs Sharon is that despite her struggles, she never let her circumstances dim her compassionate spirit.

The scripture says to let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Access To Success Foundation is a light bringer to many communities, and Mrs Sharon’s community was not left out. Mrs Sharon’s good deeds, the organization and staff were amazed at how she drew everyone close to her and even accommodated staff and site workers on rainy days in her house. She believed in the power of kindness and hospitality, not knowing that these kind deeds would soon play a significant role in her life.

When the Youth Centre started functioning, with the presence of a larger and more comfortable space, there was room to admit more children and increase our number. Mrs Sharon’s children wrote the entrance exams, but only one of her children passed and was admitted. Meanwhile just as there was a need for more children, there is an equal need to employ more teachers. Sharon was deeply moved by the mission and vision of A2S and felt an immediate connection with the organisation’s values. She decided to take a leap of faith. She applied to Access to Success for a teaching position, hoping that her passion for education and love for children would be enough to secure the job.

Getting the position as a teacher at the After School Academy was not difficult because everyone could testify to her sincere and lovely nature. She realised that Access to Success Foundation was more than just a magnificent building; it was an organisation dedicated to nurturing children’s holistic growth, and our vision aligned perfectly with Sharon’s dreams of owning a school someday. In her one year at the Access To Success After School Academy, she says she likes that the foundation aims to create an environment where children can flourish emotionally, intellectually, and creatively.

We embraced her as part of our family, recognizing the value she brings. We were drawn in by her kindness, infectious smile, and unwavering commitment to the children’s well-being. As the months passed, Sharon’s bond with the foundation grew stronger. She developed a deep sense of belonging, and her dream of owning a school seemed closer than ever.

During the 2023 Vision Trip, The Founder of Access to Success and the U.S. and Nigeria teams surprised Mrs Sharon and her family with a special visit and glad tidings. The National Director, Evangelist Thecla Uzukwu expressed how impressed she is by her dedication and exceptional work and prays that she can grow and see the foundation as a step in the right direction of her big dream. She also encouraged her to explore returning to school to gain more knowledge and certification in early childhood education.

Sharon’s heart was filled with joy and fulfilment, knowing that her love for teaching and her willingness to open her home to strangers had set her on a path of purpose and achievement. Sharon’s journey from a woman offering kindness to strangers to a significant figure in Access to Success is a miracle and inspiration. And so, we pray that the story of Sharon, a woman with a heart full of love, kindness, and hope, continues to inspire those around her. She teaches the children at Access to Success the profound impact that simple acts of compassion can have on shaping lives and fulfilling dreams one child at a time. We can’t imagine a better role model to teach our children every day.

Your monthly giving and prayers through FaithFuel help so many like Mrs. Sharon accomplish their dreams at Access to Success. Thank you!

From our Development Manager…

Meeting Mrs. Sharon was so exciting for me. We had watched her with the kids during VBS prior to visiting her home- and once I realized it was her we were featuring for this month, I was so excited her story would be shared.

Mrs. Sharon is a light. Whether it was greeting the kids at the Youth Center or greeting us at her home, I felt like every time I saw her in those 10 short days in Nigeria she was absolutely beaming. Coming from a family of educators, it excites me to see the energy of Mrs. Sharon and our other teaching volunteers. They share so much joy with our kids, and I couldn’t imagine any better way to raise them as their find their path to success. I am so grateful for Mrs. Sharon and all she does every day at our Youth Center!

-Laura Knight, A2S Development Manager

During this summer’s Vision Trips, our teams caught up with several of our families that have been featured throughout the year. Trip participants got to hear the stories of these families and share some encouragement and prayers while they visited.