Every contribution you have given through the School of Life discipleship program has helped bring meaningful change to the lives of children in different communities. No one would have imagined that a child who once kept mostly to herself would one day be trusted to become a peer tutor for younger children.
One of them is Febriani Magdalena Manao, a 17-year-old from Bawomataluo.
Growing up, Febriani was not used to talking with her parents about how she felt. She kept many things to herself and learned to deal with them on her own. Over time, she became quiet and withdrawn. Being verbally bullied several times by her schoolmates further affected her confidence and caused her to limit her friendships.
“At school, I only had one or two friends, and I often spent time by myself,” she shared.
Things began to change when she became interested in the School of Life learning activities taking place across the street from her home.
She eventually joined the program in 2021. “When I first joined, I still felt awkward, afraid, and uncomfortable.”
However, the School of Life tutors continued to welcome and encourage Febriani. The warmth and support they showed began to give her a new perspective. Through the “Who Am I?” lesson from the School of Life character curriculum, Febriani slowly began to see herself differently.
She learned that everyone has strengths and limitations, yet each person remains valuable in God’s eyes. This understanding gradually helped her accept herself and gave her the courage to open up to the people around her.
Her transformation became even more evident when she took the courageous step of becoming a peer tutor for younger children at the School of Life, a role she served in for three years.
“This is an incredible gift for me. I was once a child who felt worthless, but now God has entrusted me with the opportunity to serve others.”
Today, after growing through the School of Life program, Febriani is taking another step toward her future by pursuing her studies at a private university in Semarang. It is her first time living away from the island of Sumatra, making this one of the bravest steps Febriani and her family have taken toward building her future.
Thank you for being part of Febriani’s journey as she builds her future.
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Obor Berkat