For many, the word “Alumni” itself was new!

– Restoring Hope Staff

This past May, the first two **ever** alumni gatherings took place in two parts of South Asia for our Restoring Hope youth.

We now have 21 college graduates (and hundreds more to come) who have been raised in the local church and now re-connected with their families of origin. 

How will they stay connected? 

How will they find a faith community for their journey? 

What will they do and become now that they are graduated? 

These are the questions we have been asking and addressing recently and the Restoring Hope Alumni Program is developing.

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In one location, they celebrated birthdays, and had workshops on:

• Online Safety
• Responsibility to Family
• Career Guidance

Ratna*, the new Alumni Coordinator in one region, has been in the organization since he was a child, and he shared his testimony and college success stories.

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The other gathering was 2 days!

Two alumni leaders were selected from this region because they expect to have a large number of 50 graduates in the next couple years.

Restoring Hope Staff told us:

“They conducted similar sessions in career guidance and they discussed the responsibilities after graduation,” and that, “they love to celebrate their birthdays together also.”

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There are 250 college students currently enrolled. We expect that number to double in the next couple years as many of the children that began with their education assistance 10 years ago are now getting older.

Designated funding from one generous donor will give us some freedom this year to create alumni gatherings and programs, provide some transportation as needed for both alumni and staff and help us to set a good standard for what our college graduates can expect from continuing to be a part of the Restoring Hope family. 

For students to graduate from college it takes $1,500 per academic year. Will you join us in sending them through to obtain their diplomas and **become** alumni?