Champions for Children
On March 7, the work of Raise the Roof Academy turned 11 years old! I was sharing in a presentation recently on the mission of RTRA when someone from the audience raised their hand to say, “Marlene, in our family we sponsor Annette. We love her letters and pictures, and enjoyed seeing her in the RTRA choir during the December concert. We’re so excited about Annette’s future and all the other students. What do you think is the one word that sums up the last 11 years of Raise the Roof Academy?”
Without pause, I said, “That word is CHILDREN.” Today, I want to build on that answer. The heartbeat of RTRA is children. Children are the center of our mission. We believe God has called us to work on behalf of and with children. Everything we do at RTRA is guided by the belief that a child who finds him or herself in an unimaginable cycle of circumstances has a champion somewhere in the world ready and waiting. We are called to help introduce a deserving child to champions like you.
In the last 11 years, we have celebrated over 1,400 children at RTRA. The better news is that each child is now writing a better story for themselves. Together, we are part of these unbelievable stories of new life. RTRA has grown to accommodate the needs of the students as they have grown. While the greatest percentage are in primary school, we now have students in high school, one in university, and 56 boys and girls in the RTRA Center for Social Enterprise. There are now three homes that ensure the most vulnerable children have a safe space to live and those in primary 7 and high school have a place to stay focused as they advance in rigorous academic programs.
In closing, I want to share with you stories of a few children who are the heartbeat of who we are.
Meet Aida
Aida is an orphan girl who has been with us for over 7 years. She came to us after suffering from burns after an accident that scarred her face and body. This was a source of sadness and anger for Aida, she would often shy away to avoid unwanted attention and stares. Despite tragedy, Aida is thriving in her studies and has grown confident and comfortable with her peers on campus.
Meet Patricia
Patricia is known by everyone at school for her infectious smile. As a baby, she suffered from polio which left her legs weak. She now depends on the support of crutches to help with her mobility and is cared for by a community Good Samaritan who she calls her aunt. Although Patricia moves with slow measured steps around campus, she navigates the world with ease and admirable dedication to academics.
Meet Vicky & King David
Vicky and King David are children of the late Pastor Ndagano. Pastor Ndagano was hospitalized for 4 months due to COVID-19 and lost his battle on October 8, 2021. The medical costs were significant and the family became bankrupt after selling everything they had to save his life. At the beginning of the year, we welcomed King David and Vicky into Raise the Roof Academy. They love music so much. In fact, King David is learning to play the piano.
Aida, Patricia, Vicky, and King David have found new life at Raise the Roof Academy. We see resurrection and restoration in them. We believe children are like a garden. What is planted when they are young sprouts and when they grow, society harvests from them what was sown. You are helping sow love, hope, joy, compassion, and goodness in children. We are not leaving any child to chance. I am confident that our world will harvest love, compassion, joy, peace, equity, justice and imagination from the children in our care. I thank you for being a champion for children.
With gratitude,
Marlene Ssebulime