The Day I Received a Mercy Beyond Borders Scholarship
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Step into the shoes of our incredible young women Scholars in South Sudan as they share their personal stories of an unforgettable day. From unfathomable heartbreak to profound joy, these authentic accounts offer a window into their lives and unwavering resilience. Join us on this powerful journey through their unforgettable days.
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These accounts are written in response to the essay prompt, “A day in your life you will never forget”.
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These stories were originally handwritten by the Scholars, and their names, the names of family members and places have been removed to safeguard the sensitivity of their accounts. The narratives have been transcribed and slightly revised by our staff for enhanced readability and comprehension.
I woke up on one bright morning and walked towards the door of my hut. Through my window I saw birds singing, announcing the birth of a new day. I could see it had been raining all night. Since I was done with my final exams for the Primary Leaving Examinations, all I had to do was help my mom in our nearby garden. I went straight to the place where my mom kept the hoe and the panga [machete]. I worked awhile in the garden. After that, I came back and prepared to go to school to get my exam results.
On my journey to school, I was surprised to see my friends. They had bright, shining smiles on their faces. One of them started racing toward me, exclaiming, “You did it! Yes, you did!” Her repeated exclamations were a mystery until she finally conveyed the heartening news: I had secured a spot among the top ten girls in the State and earned a scholarship from Mercy Beyond Borders.
The wave of emotions was overwhelming; I never found the words to explain how I felt that day. It was like a daydream or maybe a joke at first. But her sincerity turned my disbelief into ecstatic jubilation, and I couldn't contain my excitement. I screamed so loud, jumping up and down and running from one direction to another. My initial instinct was to rush home to share the news with my mother, yet midway, I pivoted back toward the school and started screaming again. This time it was so loud that it attracted the attention of everyone. It didn’t feel like I was the person doing it. I could not express the joy and happiness I was having. It felt like It wasn’t even me -- like I was watching someone else who won the Mercy Beyond Borders scholarship.
Upon arriving at the school office, I was welcomed with a big smile and a clap of hands from my friends and teachers. Finally, I started shedding tears of joy and I could not hold back my tears. They just kept on rolling down my cheeks. I got down on my knees and started praising God for what he has given me, this gift of knowledge and the Mercy Beyond Borders scholarship. For a long time, it was one of my dreams: to be a part of Mercy Beyond Borders. It was my only goal after my primary examination.
I was extremely happy, even beyond happiness. I went back home and announced the amazing message to my family. Indeed they were so happy and proud of me because they believed I could make it to the top. That day I felt so proud of myself and for Mercy Beyond Borders. That day, I learned that hard work pays off. My mom is really very grateful for Mercy Beyond Borders. I am very happy. I can’t find the words to explain how happy I am. Getting this news is truly a miraculous gift. I thank Mercy Beyond Borders from the bottom of my heart for helping me to realize my dreams and build up my life for my future.
Staff Update: Written during her third year of high school as a Mercy Beyond Borders Scholar, she is now pursuing a law degree in Kenya on a full university scholarship from Mercy Beyond Borders.