Youth Transition Graduates

What does it take for a kid to thrive in life? Besides, a lot of love and affection? It also takes a lot of hard work from their side and a lot of support from ours.

This year we had five kids finish high school, Andreea, Sorina, Nicoleta, Daniel and Ghiorghita. Some of them grew up under our watch while some just joined Bread of Life a few years ago. They have all been loved and educated by our staff, but while in high school in Bucharest, they had the opportunity to have a glance of what adulthood looks like. During the past four years, these teenagers got to apply in real life what they had learned in their childhood. They had to cook, clean, be a full-time student, and be involved in other projects that we had at Bread of Life. So maybe life in Bucharest was harder than the one in Brosteni would have been because they have more responsibility, but I believe that it was worth the effort and that it will provide more career options for them.

I had the opportunity to work closely with these teenagers for the past year, as I tutored them for their graduation exams. I was pleasantly surprised to see how serious they took the preparation sessions. They always came prepared, paid attention, and actively participated in our discussions. They did their part, while I worked to sustain and encourage their positive attitude about learning and hard work day by day. They had moments of discouragement, as we all do. These are the times when we need people around us the most to support us. They are all smart kids, but many of them lack self-confidence. I found this is where they needed my support the most. With God’s help, I did my best to support each of them in their unique needs. Finally, all of them took the final exam and graduated from high school. In Romania, this is the hardest exam in a teenager’s life. I am excited to say, they all passed the 12th grade with good results exceeding our expectations. From a maximum of 10 points possible, their scores were from 8.50 to 9.25. We are very proud of them, and we give God the glory for their success. It is successes like these that help them gain more confidence for their future. They now have the opportunity to get into good colleges, and I genuinely believe they each will thrive and have a good life if they obey and stick to God’s plan.

So, what is the secret to a child’s success? In my opinion, his hard work, along with support from the adults in his life. They need to hear that they are capable, that they are going to succeed. They need people to call out their abilities and require them to do their best. This year, we saw our kids try their best; God saw their effort and made this happen for them. I am just thankful for being part of God’s plan with these children.

“ I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God.”

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

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