During their visit to CRS in November, 2008 founders of FCRS mother and daughter Ruth and Tanya Walmsley, together with the School Management Team, identified 26 particular students who were living in extreme poverty. Without urgent financial assistance it was extremely unlikely that they would be able to continue their education.
Many of these young people have lost one or both parents during civil wars and now live with relatives who are very poor and can barely scrape a living due to high unemployment, illness or old age. This means that paying for rent and food is extremely difficult, let alone having sufficient to pay for school fees and transport to get to school if they live some distance away.
Due to their impoverished circumstances many children have missed out on an education. Parents, relatives or carers are expected to pay for their children’s schooling (there is no government or local support for the refugee school). They simply do not have the money to send their children to school, or maintain the ability to pay regularly. The children drop out of school and instead help to bring in money to pay for food and lodging.
To help these students FCRS set up a Student Support Scheme which has made a significant change to their lives. Each student supporter is helping make a lasting difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest children. Their support pays for
- All school fees
- A hot meal at school
- School uniform and shoes
- Exercise books and pens
The Student Support Scheme also helps the most needy families by
- contributing to rent payments
- providing money to buy food
- providing funds for transportation to school for those who walk long distances
Hassanatu Jalloh (aged 17) says:
"Financial assistance through FCRS has made a big, big impact on our lives. Firstly we are no longer worried about being unable to pay our tuition fees as was the case in previous years. Secondly we no longer have to scout around for money to obtain uniforms, shoes, books, pens, etc. Thirdly we are not having to walk to and from school every day."
Fatu and Mansangay Fofana (aged 8 and 10) say:
“Receiving financial assistance has changed our lives. There is now happiness in the home. Our old and ill mother is no longer thinking about how to get uniforms and tuition for us. We are able to pay the rent and get some food. Before, we were going to school late because we had to sell at night. But now that has stopped. We are trying to catch up on our lessons.
We love CRS because the teachers love the students and teach us well.”
