Sylvia, a shy and reserved girl when we first met her three years ago, has blossomed into the type of student leader that truly embodies the vision and spirit of PathLight. Currently she is serving as the de facto president of the Community Services Committee for her village where she helps coordinate and manage the community service activities that our students are required to do every year. Focused and responsible, she encourages and leads the other students by being an example of someone who uses whatever blessing they have received to bless others. She recruits volunteers to help PathLight, distributes information to the student community and most of all, she indirectly disciples many of her friends and family members by encouraging them to walk faithfully and do the right things. 

Academically, one of the achievements that she is most proud of is the fact that she has never had to do any recuperation classes and she intends to keep it that way. As she continues to grow in her academic ability, her aspirations are now pointing toward college. Unlike most students, she is seriously considering pursuing colleges overseas and hopes to eventually get a master's degree and a doctorate in Business Management with a focus on Tourism.

For Sylvia, faith in God is an important aspect of her life. Her faith grew stronger from an amazing experience she had several years ago. This is the story she shared to me (paraphrased): 

"4 years ago, I fell and injured my knee. At first I didn't think it was very serious but after a week the pain started to increase a lot and the swelling began to get worse. After a while I couldn't walk. We went to the doctors and they told me that there was some kind of particle embedded in my knee. They told me that I needed to get it treated. And thus I started getting treatment for a month. After a month, the knee wasn't getting any better and the doctor said I will need surgery to heal my leg. Upon hearing this, my mom took me from the hospital and to the church where they said they were going to pray for me. Knowing that we didn't have the money to afford the surgery, we knew that only God could deliver me from this situation. So pray we did. As we were praying that night, a hot sensation went through my body and an intense focused pain came upon my knee. After we were done with the prayer, I was able to move my leg. Miraculously, the pain was gone. It was all gone and I was able to move unrestrictedly. The next day, we went to the doctor and when the doctor checked my knee, they found that the particle that was embedded was gone as well. It was truly an amazing blessing from God." 

Praise God for that miracle and the work he continues to do in transforming this lady into a powerful leader in the Lord. 

A final story involving Sylvia's growth as a woman of faith came recently when she was spending time with her extended family one evening. That day, her uncle was teasing her incessantly about how old she was getting and that he couldn’t believe she was not pregnant yet. Usually, she ignores these comments but he seemed especially focused in getting under her skin that night. After a while, the usually reserved Sylvia, stood up to her uncle and said plainly, "I am not ready to have children at this age. What good would it be if I would have a child and not be able to care well for this child and have to see them suffer like so many children out there?" With that, her uncle was furious but he knew there was nothing he could say that could bring Sylvia down. Sylvia knows that the future is bright for her and she yearns to pursue her dreams. She is not going to let anyone distract her from becoming the person she believes she can be.

 
Sylvia believes in her future in the Lord and we too, believe that her future is truly bright and limitless. With the support of her parents, PathLight, and especially her sponsors, we trust that the Lord will do great things through this sister in Christ as she continues to grow into the woman that the Lord yearns for her to become.

If you would like to sponsor a student, or want to share the cost of a sponsorship, or simply want to make a one-time gift to help a student achieve their dream, please click on the donate button above, or contact us for more information. We'd be glad to help you make a difference!