Student Sponsorships

Download the March 2008 Student Sponsorship Newsletter

            John’s father died when he was a preschooler.  When his mother died a few years later, he was sent to live with an aunt and uncle at Namwianga.  Two years later his aunt died.  John is now a student in tenth grade and plays on the volleyball team. 

            Robson is the third of eight children and the first in his family to attend high school.  His parents are subsistence farmers who barely manage to grow enough food for their large family.  Students in Zambia must take an exam at the end of ninth grade in order to qualify for high school.  The minimum qualifying score was 364, and Robson earned 461 points.. Robson is thrilled to be able to go to school at Namwianga and has high hopes for the future.

            Mavis is in her third year of teacher training at George Benson Christian College.  Her mother died during her first year of college.  Last year her father became too sick to work.  He called Mavis to tell her that he couldn’t pay the rent on their house, so her two young brothers were being sent to live with friends.   Mavis will be the sole supporter of her family once she graduates from college.

            All of these students need help in order to continue their education, and all are receiving help from the US Sponsorship Program.  The sponsorship program matches donors from the US with needy students at Namwianga Christian Secondary School and George Benson Christian College.  Students are selected for sponsorship based on financial need, academic ability, and potential for leadership.   Applicants submit letters of recommendation and proof of academic achievement.  A committee selects the students and monitors their progress.

            A contribution of $100 per month provides full sponsorship for a high school student (grades 10 – 12).  The cost for a college student is $110 per month.   Partial sponsorships ($25 per month or more) are also available as some students have more than one sponsor.  Sponsors may send monthly checks, use automatic bank drafts, or pay for an entire year at once.  All contributions are tax deductible.

            A one-time donation will purchase uniforms and school supplies, provide transportation to and from school during breaks, or help pay off a student’s previous balance so that he/she can remain in school.

            Sponsors can be individuals and families, Sunday School classes, congregations, or civic groups and school clubs. 

            Linda Gregersen, a missionary at Namwianga, serves as coordinator of the sponsorship program.  She provides sponsors with photos, information, and letters from their sponsored students.

            If you would like to sponsor a needy student, send an e-mail to dlgregersen@mac.com or write to US Sponsorship Program, Zambia Mission, 3103 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK  73013-7015.