Because sponsorship levels remain high, Grace Emmanuel School accepts new students each year, both to fill the incoming kindergarten class and to give more students in different grade levels the opportunity that GES provides.

We sat down with two of our new students to get to know them a little bit better. Want to become their sponsors? Find out how.

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Naïka, 10th grade

Naïka Delva is 17 and in 10th grade. She lives with her mom in a village called Philadelphia, traveling one of the farthest distances to school of any GES student.

Where did you go to school before Grace Emmanuel School? What was it like?

I was in school in Port au Prince. When I had first started at the school, I liked it, but I had come to not like the way it was functioning. Plus it was expensive and my mom couldn’t pay for it.

What surprised you most about Grace Emmanuel School?

The first thing is that we have chapel. I have the opportunity to give God glory. After that, I like the people GES surrounds me with.

What motivates you in your education?

My motivation to come to school is because I want to be proud when I’m older, so I can give my mom a different life. I want to study, graduate, and work so my mom can be proud of me.

What do you hope to accomplish with your life?

I want to have the chance to become a doctor so I can help lots of people in need.

Where did you grow up? What was it like?

I grew up in Petionville. It was good.

Tell us about your family.

I grew up in a family with 7 children. I couldn’t live with my dad. My mom did everything to take care of us. After that, my mom didn’t work, and her brother would help, but just when he could.

Do you have any role models who deeply influence who you are?

Yes, one of my older sisters, Sterline. She’s always available for me, always giving me advice.

Tell us about your faith.

I believe in God a lot. I was raised in a family that always went to church. I will be baptized in February. My favorite verse is Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Do you have a favorite subject?

I like chemistry and physics.

What does a free education mean for you and your family?

To find a free school is not easy at all, but I had a lot of luck to find GES. That has a lot of importance to me and my family, because my mom isn’t working. It is a testimony to her. I’m very happy.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I want to thank God first, and I thank all the school staff that chose to give me a chance to study at this school.

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Rodney, 9th grade

Rodney is 19 and just started 9th grade at Grace Emmanuel School. He lives with his aunt in Source Matelas.

Where did you go to school before Grace Emmanuel School? What was it like?

I was at a school in Source Matelas. It was fine, but there wasn’t too much monitoring of the students.

What surprised you most about Grace Emmanuel School?

The thing that surprised me most has been the quality of the teaching.

What motivates you in your education?

I want to become a person who can help others in every way.

What do you hope to accomplish with your life?

I want to become a mechanic, because I like cars a lot. They are my passion.

Where did you grow up? What was it like?

My mom has 3 kids and my dad has 5. I grew up just outside of Port au Prince with my mom. It wasn’t too good because my mom didn’t have work, but somehow we lived. I don’t live with my mom now. My life with my mom was not easy at all. I finally left to go live with my dad for school. Now I live with my aunt.

Do you have any role models who deeply influence who you are and what you believe?

My aunt Linda. She is the one who gives me advice and is my role model. With her I can talk about everything and she always finds a good word to comfort me.

What is your favorite subject?

I like physics and English.

What does a free education mean for you and your family?

Receiving a free education is like a blessing, because neither my mom or dad have anything.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Thanks is all I can say. But thanks is not enough.