FARIDATU ZAKARIAH

I am an alumnus of KNUST with a Bachelors degree in English, presently, doing my National Service with MTN Ghana in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. I got an educational sponsorship from the Gaede Foundation through Scripture Union after my first year in Senior High School. The sponsorship came through during a time when I thought all hope is lost. Prior to my Senior High schooling, I had lost both my parents; one through an illness and the other through a motor accident. Being an only child to my parents, I was forced to live with an aunt I knew nothing about.

I struggled a lot with my education and food. I constantly had to visit a friend's house so I could get something to eat and some textbooks to read. I got very good results in my BECE (2010) exams yet nobody in my family was willing to pay my admission fees into the Senior High School. This happened mainly because I decided to convert into Christianity. Finally, my friends' family members contributed to put me into the boarding school and this to me was an opportunity of a lifetime.

I lacked nothing throughout my stay in school; both my tuition fees and provisions were catered for by the Gaede Foundation. I had all types of textbooks relevant to my studies. After completing Senior High school, another opportunity was given me by them to further my education. The good news was just unbelievable. I was in the house one day when Scripture Union called to give the contact number of my sponsor to me. I contacted them and the rest is history; my academic fees were paid.

Prior to this I had applied for law at KNUST but failed to gain admission. I bought a UCC forms and that of KNUST forms the next year and applied for Communication Studies and English Language respectively. From level 100 to 400, all my tuition fees were paid up a week to two before school resumes. I could call Irene just to say hi and she responds like a mother. She even helped with all my internships and even paid for my accommodation so I could do my attachment and I am forever grateful for her act of kindness towards me.

Whenever I see my school certificates I whisper a thank you to God for His abundant grace and favour in my life. This experience of mine has taught me that indeed God makes something out of nothing. As a proud beneficiary of their kindness I sincerely pray that their family lack nothing in life. God richly bless your hustle.