Have you ever wondered what Orant means? It’s not just a funny word - it has a deeper meaning that we’re telling you about this week in the blog. Read more about it here and learn where we got our name and why we are grateful for you, our readers, donors, and supporters, this week and always.
A Sponsored Student Gives Back
Orant's Top Student of 2023 continues his adventure
Aged 19, Jonathan and his twin brother are the first born in a family of five. He hails from Katalima village, in Dowa district, where he lives with his grandparents. Growing up, Jonathan was always a bright student and at the top of his class. However, being raised by both parents whose lives solely depended on subsistence farming, Jonathan’s education journey was not an easy one.
“It was hard for my parents to provide basic school necessities for me and my siblings,” says Jonathan.
After sitting for his Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) Examinations, Jonathan was selected to Chaminade Secondary School, a national secondary school. However, in Malawi, there is no free education beyond primary school. Students must pay for tuition and only a few students can afford it. Thus, instead of being happy about Jonathan’s success, Jonathan and his parents were very worried about the burden of paying school fees which then was 92,000 MWK (approximately 83 USD).
One student's story of hope
“I was on the verge of giving up as my parents could not afford my school fees, transportation as well as other basic necessities,” tells Jonathan.
On the verge of giving up on his dream of becoming a doctor, Jonathan reached out to Orant’s Education program, which began sponsoring his education including his basic school necessities and transportation.
“It was an opportunity I decided to seize wholeheartedly. Looking back at my home situation, I was forced to work very hard in my studies, so I could change my family’s story,” says Jonathan.
Jonathan's success
Jonathan’s hard work and determination paid off in his Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Examinations. The MSCE results are graded based on the best six subjects and the highest one can get is 6 points, a distinction (one) in each subject. Jonathan sat for MSCE in early 2023 and he was our top performing student, scoring 11 points.
A sponsored student gives back
As he waits for university applications to open, Jonathan plans on applying for a Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHes). The MBBS is an undergraduate medical degree which takes 5-6 years to complete.
“Seeing Medical Officers at Orant’s Kasese Health Centre whenever I visited the campus always motivated me and birthed a dream in me of becoming a doctor one day,” he says.
Jonathan’s dream is to become a model to his fellow youths. It is also Jonathan’s passion to support other needy students in their education in the future.
From sponsored student to volunteer
As a way of giving back to Orant, as he waits for University applications, Jonathan is now volunteering at Orant. We are thrilled to have him on board and grateful that he wants to help his fellow students.
Congratulations to Jonathan for this well deserved achievement and a big thank you to our donors who tirelessly help many students to achieve their dreams!
Interested in learning more about student sponsorship? Visit our Education page.
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The Orant Journal
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