Through a Little Girl’s Eyes: The Assurance of Hope
Written by Special Foundation
We tried our best and used every gimmick in the history of making kids laugh: playful faces, tickles, funny dances, gifts, etc. None worked on the little girl, Faidat, one of our Inspire Scholarship beneficiaries, who wouldn’t smile when we visited her home. But then we tried something different: we tried providing assurance.
The Assurance of Hope
The assurance of hope is just as powerful as hope because it gives one a sense of something to look forward to. Children from underprivileged backgrounds are often forced to see life through the lens of uncertainty. Providing kids like Faidat with such assurance inevitably sets them on a path to keep dreaming.
Faidat’s mother’s story of losing her husband was especially heartbreaking. He died trying to find a way to ensure his children’s education after being out of school for a while. Faidat might not be privy too much about her father’s demise but she could see the absence of the assurance of hope through her mother’s pain.
Hope Shapes Dreams
The assurance of hope is what we at the Special Foundation look to inspire in children like Faidat who are burdened by the weight of the pains of their parents. Our mission of supporting the education of underprivileged children across Africa is tantamount to spreading the assurance of hope to them first.
Access to digital content that is tailored to the environment of these children would not only encourage a love for learning but also encourage their curiosity. Such content should challenge gender stereotypes and be made available offline and in local languages to ensure accessibility in areas with limited connectivity. Consequently, such digital hubs would have self-paced learning options for girls with interrupted education.
The Infinite Gift of Assured Hope
The gifts we offered her and her mother on our Tales of Hope Christmas Special visit did not put a smile on Faidat’s face because she understood that those things never last. These items are finite. But what isn’t finite and lives on within a child’s heart is that assurance of hope.
The value of education cannot be overstated. Nothing breeds hope and assurance like access to quality education in a child’s life. The hope and assurance that their dreams matter, regardless of their current situation. The hope of a new day of purpose where they can someday transform their lives through education and shape their future.
Our Mission is to Spread Hope
Ultimately the reason for our programs at the foundation is to spread hope. Our scholarship initiatives are not merely to support beneficiaries with access to funds for their fees but to inspire in them the assurance of hope. We do this so children like Faidat can shape a future in their minds that extends past their present reality and finally share a smile when it truly matters.
In 2024, we did so much with your help and support. We touched many lives and transformed many communities. But ours is a job that’s never finished. We invite you again for an even bigger and bolder pursuit in 2025. We’ve seen how a little can do a lot in a child’s life. So, why do little when we can do more with your support? So we wish you a Happy New Year and invite you to get involved with us today!
Remember:
Every child is your child, every child has a right to dream.
