When we make room for one more child, this is what success looks like
“I can never forget the things that I learnt at the camp. We were taught ways to manage our mental health, depression and positive thinking. It was exactly what I needed at the time.” – Precious, After School Academy Kid
Precious came to the A2S basketball camp in 2021 with little hope for her future. She lost her mom a year and a half prior and was on her own struggling to make ends meet. She had shared her story with others in her community, yet no one was willing to help her find her way.
Precious knew nothing about basketball, but she knew about A2S. She hoped the camp would help her get to know the staff and knew she had nowhere else to turn for assistance. At the very least, she would be able to eat and play for a few days. Precious says,
“I can never forget the things that I learnt at the camp. We were taught ways to manage our mental health, depression and positive thinking. It was exactly what I needed at the time”.
She picked up some basketball basics and made friends at camp. They still keep her company and help her improve her basketball skills to this day. Now she looks forward to camp every year.
Creative Coordinator, Festus, introduced Precious to Andrew. After learning her situation, our team worked together to make an extra spot for her at the After School Academy. Precious’ favorite part about the After School Academy is the open space in the Youth Center compound where she can play basketball and exercise.
“Playing basketball with my friends is helping me build my confidence and defense skills”.
Precious is now in senior class two and finds that it requires a lot of hard work and commitment. She is studying hard for her next year’s university entrance exam. Math has caught her interest and she plans to study business administration so she can learn more about management. One day she hopes to create her own business. Precious also has a passion for cooking and has the desire to train as a chef so she can create and share food recipes.
Precious’s life was very different before she met A2S. She says:
“Before I started the After School Academy, I had no hope of going back to school after the challenges I faced with my family. With the help of Access to Success, I was enrolled in school, got all my books completed, and attending the After School Academy helped me catch up on all the lessons I had missed in school. I also got love and support from all the staff members and they took me as their child, it was something I had never experienced before and I am grateful for that.”
Precious is raised by the A2S family. They make sure she has clothes to wear, food to take home at the end of the day and is now enrolled in school. The most important thing she has learned at A2S is teamwork. She knows that with teamwork one can easily achieve what they set their mind to.
“Teamwork makes things that seem impossible, possible”.
Before A2S stepped into Precious’s life, she had little hope for her future with nowhere left to turn for help. After the challenges she faced in her family, she struggled to find food to eat or clothes to wear and could only dream of returning to school. Thanks to the A2S community she now has her needs met and is thriving. Your teamwork and generosity helped make things she thought seemed impossible, possible. Precious now has a forever home, and a forever family.
Help us make room for the next Precious by making an End of Year Gift.
