A few weeks ago, we shared the story of Felix, a young boy who lives in Rubavu, Rwanda and was determined to stay in school despite incredible odds. But Felix isn’t the only changemaker in his family. His older sister Grace has a story of courage and resilience that is just as inspiring.

And now, Grace is passing on the hope she found—creating a ripple effect that’s transforming the lives of others, including her friend Sandrine.

Grace’s Journey Back to School

Grace is a bright and determined 15-year-old who dreams of a better future. But just a year ago, those dreams felt impossibly far away. When her family couldn’t afford school supplies or a uniform, Grace had no choice but to drop out of school. Instead of studying, she spent her days helping her mother sell sugar cane to support their family. 

But everything changed the day Felix, Grace’s younger brother, brought their little sister to school and asked for help. This simple act of courage raised awareness in the community about their family’s struggles. With support from the school, trained by Wellspring, Grace was given the materials she needed to return to class.

“Last year, I didn’t perform well at school and thought I might have to repeat the class,” Grace shared. “But the family situation didn’t allow me to continue. When the family advisor [trained by Wellspring] came to our home, they encouraged me to come back, and the school provided the materials I needed. As I love school, I immediately returned, and now I’m performing well.”

Returning to school was just the beginning of Grace’s journey. Grateful for the help she received, Grace has taken it upon herself to help others stay in school too.

Sandrine’s Second Chance

After Sandrine’s father passed away, her family struggled to survive. Unable to afford school, she was sent to live with her uncle—not to be cared for or educated, but to work as his housekeeper.

“I had to take care of his children and prepare meals for them so they may go to school while I stayed home doing chores,” Sandrine explained. “I was really not happy in that situation, though I was fed in that family.”

Everything changed when Sandrine saw Grace return to school. Inspired by Grace’s determination, she confided in her friend.

“When I saw Grace return, I told her I wanted to come back, but I couldn’t because of my family’s poverty,” said Sandrine. “Grace told me, ‘It’s possible despite everything.’”

Encouraged by Grace’s words, Sandrine made the brave decision to return to school. 

Her school—empowered by Wellspring’s training—knew just how to support her. They welcomed Sandrine with open arms and provided the school supplies and uniform she needed to continue with her education.

“Now, I am happy studying with my friend Grace,” Sandrine said. “I am grateful to this school leadership and to all who encourage us to study.”

The Power of Girls’ Education

Grace and Sandrine are now thriving in school and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. Grace summed it up beautifully: “We’re proud of our contributions to fight school dropout and committed to continue to do so!”

Their stories illustrate the incredible ripple effect of girls’ education. When one girl is empowered to return to school, she can lift others alongside her. Educated girls are more likely to help their families rise out of poverty, reduce child marriages, and raise healthier, educated children of their own.

Will You Stand Up for Girls’ Education

Grace and Sandrine’s journeys show us what’s possible when schools, communities, and donors like you come together to remove barriers to education. Their courage is creating a wave of change that will impact generations to come.

Every child deserves the chance to dream big, stay in school, and unlock their God-given potential. With your support, we can help make that a reality for more girls in East Africa.