Computers for Pathway Students in Africa

STATISTICS, SUSTAINERS, and STARS

Tears of gratitude were shed in 24 African countries during the last week of February as 319 Pathway students received emails congratulating them as recipients of a computer from The Lord’s Hands Winter 2024 competition!

From nearly 1200 applicants, 32% were selected as semi-finalists based upon GPA in BYU-Pathway Worldwide courses. Careful evaluation of the required essay, personal video, and a plan of service resulted in 132 female winners and 187 male winners. Among the winners, Applied Business, Applied Technology, and Applied Health were the most popular majors.

Their home countries read like a geography lesson. Ranging from Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, to Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Rwanda, and on to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo , and Zambia. Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, and Ghana, countries with the largest number of Pathway students, were naturally the countries with the most winners, but The Lord’s Hands is excited to recognize outstanding students from Botswana, Gambia, and Eswatini!

YOUR SUPPORT MAKE THIS POSSIBLE! YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED! YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL!

Volunteers do the evaluating and present the computers to students living in remote, isolated villages and large cities. But YOUR DONATIONS PURCHASE THE COMPUTERS!

Another campaign will begin Summer 2024. THE NUMBER OF HAPPY, DESERVING RECIPIENTS WILL DEPEND UPON YOU!

YOU ARE THE SUSTAINERS!

YOU have changed the lives of almost 1200 BYU-Pathway Worldwide students and their families since The Lord’s Hands began awarding computers in 2021. THANK YOU!

Some of your recipients. The students are the STARS!

Photo #1, Abidjan Ivory Coast: I am very happy to have obtained this computer, whose characteristics will help me to study better and submit my assignments on time.Thanks to the Lord's Hands, Thanks to the donors, Thanks to GOD, Thanks to BYU-PAHWAY, Thank you all  those near and far who contributed to obtaining my computer.

Photo #2, Abidjan Ivory Coast: I'am very grateful for the Lord's Hand for the computer that I received, I will be able to continue studying to achieve my goal of autonomy. 

Photo #3, Uganda

Photo #4, Uganda

Photo #5, Ethiopia: I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude for the immense compassion that your organization has shown me. I am overwhelmed by the unwavering support and kindness that you have extended towards me during such trying times.

I am genuinely humbled and thankful for the assistance that you have provided, as it has significantly alleviated my burdens. Your acts of compassion have not only provided me with much-needed resources and aid, but they have also restored my faith in humanity. The selfless dedication and commitment exhibited by The Lord's Hand NGO have made a profound impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for your presence in my journey.

Your organization's ability to extend love and support to those in need is truly commendable. Through your compassion, you have not only brought relief to my life but have also inspired hope for a better future. The unwavering commitment shown by The Lord's Hand NGO in improving the lives of individuals like me is unparalleled.

Once again, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to The Lord's Hand NGO. Your compassionate efforts have had a transformative effect on my life, and I feel blessed to have crossed paths with such a remarkable organization. May your noble mission continue to touch the lives of countless others in the future.

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Although the origin of this quote is uncertain, the meaning is universally understood.

BYU-PATHWAY IS THE TEACHER.

BYU-Pathway Worldwide was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a means for students throughout the world to obtain higher education through on-line preparatory classes and university courses. A strong belief in higher education for everyone, everywhere in the world motivated the Church to spend over $1,000,000,000 in 2022 on education. BYU-Pathway provides access to accredited university degrees in over 180 countries at a significantly reduced cost. Africa is the top geographical growth area and comprises half of all the international student enrollment in BYU-Pathway.

But fishing is more successful with tools, such as a net or a rod, rather than bare hands.

THE LORD’S HANDS PROVIDES THE TOOLS.

Education is more successful with modern tools, such as computers, rather than with out-of-date phones. Dr. John D. Wilson, International Area Director of BYU-Pathway World, wrote, “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 are enhanced by The Lord’s Hands providing computers to these economically challenged students”

There were 1259 applicants to The Lord’s Hands summer campaign. The need and interest are great in Africa. 779 of the applicants were male and 480 were female. 243 computers were awarded to students from 23 African countries! 67% of the computers were awarded to males and 33% to females. For the first time, 3 applicants from Ethiopia were awarded computers!

YOU CONTRIBUTE THE MONEY TO BUY THE TOOLS.

However, about 350 excellent students, who met our basic criteria of a 3.5 GPA, an essay, video, and plan of service, did not receive the tools they need and deserve to facilitate their progress in education. Why? The Lord’s Hands depends upon the generosity of our donors. We need more donors like you to provide more computers.

Through your generous contributions, The Lord’s Hands has awarded 1013 computers to outstanding students in 27 different African countries in 2 ½ years.

THE LORD’S HANDS HAS THE GOAL TO AWARD 1000 COMPUTERS IN 2024.

WITH YOUR HELP, IT WILL BE DONE!

Links:

• http://thelordshands.org