Empowering Youth for a Better Future

Before the BRIDGE Project’s Accelerated Education Program (AEP), my future felt hopeless. I was desperate to continue my education, but the weight of life’s challenges was crushing. To afford school fees and supplies, I spent my holidays fishing and riding bodaboda, barely scraping by. When my parents could no longer support me, I had no choice but to drop out in Senior 3. For months, I stayed at home, idle and heartbroken—convinced my dreams were over. Then everything changed. Through the BRIDGE Project, I was given a second chance. The program didn’t just cover my education needs—it restored my hope. The constant stress of survival faded, and for the first time in years, my family and I could breathe. I could finally focus on learning without fear. Today, I am living proof of what this opportunity can do. With the unwavering support of Youth Empowerment for Self-Reliance, War Child Canada, and the Mastercard Foundation, I’ve reclaimed my future. Now, as an A-level student at Itula Secondary School—thanks to War Child Canada’s scholarship—I’m no longer defined by my struggles. Instead, I’m driven by ambition, achievement, and the certainty that my story is just beginning. To everyone who made this possible: Thank you. You didn’t just change my life—you rewrote it.

Being part of our school's Peace Club has completely changed how I handle conflicts – both for myself and others. Before, when disagreements arose, shouting matches or even fights seemed like the only way out. But through the club's training, I've learned practical peacebuilding skills like active listening, mediation techniques, and finding win-win solutions. Now when tensions flare up between classmates or friends, I'm able to step in and help guide them toward understanding rather than anger. Just last week, I mediated a heated argument between two friends over a misunderstanding, and we resolved it through calm dialogue instead of hurtful words. The best part? These aren't just school skills – they're life skills I'll use forever. The Peace Club didn't just teach me about peace; it made me a peacebuilder in my everyday life

I never planned to drop out of school. But when I got pregnant in S.2, everything changed. Suddenly, I wasn't just a student anymore - I was a soon-to-be mother with no way to pay for school. Walking away from my education broke my heart, but I didn't have a choice. For months, I thought that was it - my chance at an education was gone. Then one day, a Community Volunteer told me about AEP. She said, 'Victoria, this program was made for someone like you.' I signed up that same week, though I was terrified. How would I manage classes while pregnant? What about after the baby came? The first weeks were so hard. I'd come to class exhausted, worrying about everything. But the teachers... they understood. The YEFOSR staff checked on me constantly. When I struggled, they didn't scold me - they helped me find solutions. Slowly, I started believing again. Now? I'm doing it. My baby's here, and I'm still in school. Some days are still tough, but I'm showing up - for myself and for my child. This program didn't just reopen a door for me; it showed me I'm stronger than I ever knew. And I won't stop until I cross that graduation stage.