Computers for Pathway Students in Africa

INTERESTING STATISTICS

800 applications for our Winter 2023 Campaign arrived in record numbers from 23 countries. The hopefuls included 284 women (35%) and 516 men (65%).

457 of the 800 met all of the challenging criteria, qualifying as finalists.

91 women (38%) and 149 men (62%) were awarded computers after difficult deliberations.

240 lives were changed. You, our donors, made it possible for 240 outstanding students to continue their education with adequate technology, no longer depending upon phones to perform sophisticated math, analyze complicated data, or write lengthy papers.

However, 217 more excellent students could have been blessed if The Lord’s Hands had more generous contributors like you. Please spread the good news about the opportunity to change the lives of outstanding African students.

The Lord’s Hands is now able to access excellent used computers from the US, ship them to two locations in Africa, and distribute them to 23 different countries. Originally, only 4 countries were served. Volunteers, known as Trusted Contacts, make it possible for computers to be delivered to the most remote areas.

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

Likoro, Nambia. “I’m 32 years ago, a student from BYU Pathway, currently enrolled at Ensign College, majoring in Fundamentals medical billing and coding.

“In the beginning I had challenges with completing my assignments. I had to miss deadlines, to a point where I had to withdraw or drop my courses. It had been frustrating. I was even thinking of taking a year gap so that I can save up for a new laptop. I applied for a laptop at the Lords hands NGO, even than I had less hope of receiving one because I knew the are many applicants, but I didn’t lose faith.

“I than received an email that confirmed that I qualify for the laptop, I re-read the email again and again and again. I needed to prove this wasn’t a prank, I couldn’t believe it until I got an email from one of the coordinators that handles the donations of the Lords Hands. Only then did I shed a tear of joy. Gratitude can not explain how happy I am to have been chosen for this rare opportunity.

“I can now re-register for my courses and be able to do them with ease. To The Lord's Hands, thank you. I can not begin to express my appreciation towards what I have been given. I won't be able the only one affected by your generosity, many will. I thank you once more.”

Malumbo, Malawi. “I was using phone for my studies, sometimes I could borrow laptop from my neighbor to do assignments. Now I won't struggle with my studies. In addition, I will no longer be a burden to my neighbor.”

Godknows, the Volta region of Ghana. “I received the laptop. I am really grateful for the donation and may the Lord bless the donors and the hands involved in getting it to me. This will contribute greatly to my academic success.”

Duduzile, South Africa. “When I started my education journey, it was difficult to complete assignments. Thanks to The Lord’s Hands, I can continue my education, and I will also serve other who need help. There are many who desire an education to provide for their families. MAY THE LORD’S HANDS CONTINUE TO HELP THEM.”

 Did you experience a disappointing loss in some of your investments this year?

Would you prefer an investment guaranteed to increase in value?

How about a powerful investment guaranteed to increase in value forever?

Too good to be true? Perhaps.

However, the investments you have made in the lives of Pathway students in Africa are close to being guaranteed to increase in value forever. Putting a computer in the hands of excellent BYU-Pathway students living where the cost of computers is beyond their economic reach works magic! The computer enables them to successfully move forward in their education! A powerful investment guaranteed to increase in value!

In January 2021, The Lord’s Hands awarded 15 computers. Because of your donations, in January 2023, The Lord’s Hands will award 250 computers! That will bring the total number of lives changed to about 780. A powerful investment guaranteed to increase in value!

Dr. John D. Wilson, International Area Director of BYU-Pathway Worldwide, recently wrote:

“Africa is our top geographical growth area and comprises half of all new international student enrollment in BYU-Pathway. Technology constraints, such as having no access to a computer, are among the top roadblocks to our students enrolling, completing their certificates/degrees, and obtaining gainful employment. BYU-Pathway’s efforts to enroll and retain students worldwide are enhanced by The Lord’s Hands providing computers to these economically challenged students. Since its founding in November 2020 by Brother Steve Kapila, The Lord’s Hands has donated 530 computers to BYU-Pathway students in twenty-one African countries. As BYU-Pathway students complete their certificate and degree programs, they not only significantly reduce the stress of economic poverty for themselves, their family, and their communities but also build and strengthen their spiritual lives and testimonies, providing fertile ground for developing Church and community leadership skills.”

Computers for BYU-Pathway students is a powerful investment guaranteed to increase in value!

FYI: The Lord’s Hands’ website was recently updated. Check out the Laptop Distribution Map, Our Story Timeline, and videos of computer recipients telling you “Thank you” and explaining how the award is changing their lives. You will see firsthand how your powerful investment is guaranteed to increase in value!

MODERN PIONEERS NEED COMPUTERS, NOT MUSCLES

As I write this report, the state of Utah is celebrating the courageous pioneers who arrived in 1847. Reflecting upon my own brave ancestors who settled in dry, barren Sanpete County 170 years ago, I am grateful for their determination and vision to immediately build a place for higher education and a place for sacred worship. (Snow College and the stunning Manti Temple were both dedicated in 1888.)

Equally remarkable are the Pathway students who are modern-day pioneers in Africa. Currently, there are over 9,500 African students enrolled in BYU-Pathway Worldwide. They are courageous, brave, determined students with a clear vision of the power of education.

However, our modern-day African pioneers have obstacles even more challenging than sagebrush. Muscles and determination cannot build a computer! Excellent, edited essays are difficult to write on out-of-date smart phones. Many advanced programs and calculations are impossible. Without computers, several useful classes cannot even be attempted.

This is where you donors to The Lord’s Hands come into the story, riding to the rescue, ready to save the day!

530 up-to-date computers have been awarded since we began in January 2021! Thank you!

200 computers were awarded in the Spring 2022 campaign! Thank you!

Computers were awarded to student-pioneers in 17 countries, an incredible growth since The Lord’s Hands began! Thank you!

We have new, more efficient, more economical suppliers who deliver higher quality computers than in the beginning.

We have organized “trusted contacts” all over Africa to facilitate delivery to students far from the major cities.

We received 648 completed applications this May. Most met the basic qualifications of a 3.5 GPA, essay, video, and plan for service.

We might have awarded at least 600 computers. But we couldn’t. Why? Our amazing volunteers do the work on the ground, but computers still cost money. YOUR DONATIONS make everything possible. YOU are the foundation. YOU provide the funds. Please continue to support these amazing, modern-day pioneers in Africa! The Lord’s Hands is “the place.” Together we will make Africa “blossom as a rose!”

When beginning to write a data-driven report on the status of Computers for Pathway Students in Africa, rather than the stunning numbers demonstrating the continued phenomenal success of the project, such as the 139 COMPUTERS AWARDED IN THE WINTER 2022 CAMPAIGN, or the 191 COMPUTERS AWARDED IN 2021, MAKING A TOTAL OF 330 LIVES CHANGED BY RECEIVING COMPUTERS FROM THE LORD’S HANDS, I kept thinking of the lyrics from Stephen Schwartz’s musical, Wicked.

“I’ve heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason,

bringing something we must learn.

“And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return.”

Like most of you generous donors, I feel that I have been led to these hard-working students in Central Africa, who are challenged by poverty, corrupt governments, and limited technology. I have learned much from their determination and sacrifices to acquire an education.

“Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?”

While reading essays from 348 WINTER CAMPAIGN APPLICANTS, I know that I have been changed. Let me share from one essay that may change your outlook.

“In the refugee camp, education was very limited. Things got hard, and I got low marks, making me feel bad. But through Pathway, I started viewing failures as opportunities to learn more and improve. This really opened my mind, and as soon as I started applying this concept in my life, I actually got better, not only with school work but in most areas of my life.”

“It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime.

So, let me say before we part:

So much of me is made of what I learned from you.

You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart.

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better,

but because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”

We may never meet these amazing students, but we can learn perseverance from the examples of the 1369 WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR COMPUTERS since the inception of The Lord’s Hands project. They TRIED! THEY GAVE THEIR BEST!

Yes, we are changing lives of Pathway students in Africa through donations for computers, but I also know that AS WE GIVE, WE WILL BE CHANGED FOR GOOD!

Following are some photos and short stories of students whose lives have been changed for the better. Not only their lives, but their families’ lives, and in time, the lives of people in their communities will be changed for good.

• Report_March_28_2022.docx (DOCX)

With over 400 applicants, 278 outstanding finalists, and 101 amazing winners, the Computers for Pathway Students in Africa Fall Campaign was an incredible success! 101 students received refurbished computers enabling them to continue their university education. 101 families, communities, and future generations will be lifted. 101 lives have been changed forever.

As we celebrated Thanksgiving, we at The Lord’s Hands debated about our favorite blessings in 2021. Our top four are:

            ***$51,815.00 contributed to GlobalGiving for the Computer Campaign by YOU!

            ***Growing from under 50 applications in January to over 400 applications in September!

            ***101 computers delivered in September, growing from 16 in January!

            ***Over 135 donations from YOU!

So many blessings!

YOU and your generous donations are what make everything possible. THANK YOU!

Please continue to give---Giving Tuesday, Nov. 30!

In memory of a friend who passed in 2021.

A unique Christmas gift in the name of someone special who has everything!

Give yourself the joy of changing someone’s life.

To give you an example of the impact on the students and their communities, I’m sharing this from Grace, a single mother of three, in Uganda.

“I am forever thankful for the laptop from The Lord’s Hands. I have been able to access my assignments and lessons from anywhere. This has allowed me to work from home and work at my own pace. This has helped me to submit all my assignments in time and I still have 100% grade A in all my courses. I made a pledge to do an act of service in return for what The Lord’s Hands had gifted me. I went to an organization called Uganda Cares that gives counseling and treatment to HIV/AIDS victims throughout Masaka where I stay to be allowed to work voluntarily. I was given the opportunity to go with the field team to take medication to locals who lived far away from the centre and also offer counseling to those who were suffering from pain and stigmatization. Under the circumstances, it would be hard to say it was going to be fun. However, sharing with these people and hearing their struggles and grit to stay alive gave me more strength to endure my own circumstances and it has been and is still one of my memorable and meaningful life experiences.

“The pictures below show me with the Toshiba I received first and one of the families who lost a father who was one of the patients at the hospital. They were glad for the love and support, as well as psychological treatment that Uganda Cares gave them. I think I like social work because it blends well with the ministering assignments we do at Church. I am grateful to be able to serve in both capacities and also for the guidance of the Spirit in being sensitive to the needs of the people I am given to serve. If they will have me, I would love to continue working for Uganda Cares as a volunteer.

“I take this opportunity once again to commend the work of The Lord’s Hands in changing many students’ lives in Africa. Mine has certainly been enlightened, my burdens have been lighter and the computer is an answer to my prayers. Thank you again, and God bless the works of your hands.”

• Grace, with computer and with fatherless family (DOCX)