The transformation of a village started last night. One might say it began four years ago when a few students shyly stepped onto a bus and headed to their first day of high school. But that was the beginning of their personal transformation, not the village.
The village transformation began last night when Amalia, Danald, Concepciona, and Sulema graduated from high school during a traditional ceremony at the Belmopan Civic Center. All four live in Armenia Village, a small community on the edge of the Belize rainforest, created twenty or so years ago to handle the influx of refugees from the civil wars plaguing Central America. It is a poor community of 1500 people of Mestizo and Mayan descent. Perhaps not among the poorest of the poor, but still impoverished in ways that deprive the soul of hope.
Over the last four years these four students have grown spiritually, academically, and socially through the PathLight sponsorship program. Sulema, who I had written about before, graduated with high honors and her giant smile was beaming as she accepted her awards. Danald bravely overcame incredible personal hardship that few people experience in a lifetime. Concepciona seemed like a completely different person after four years and, though still shy, was both graceful and composed. Amalia was beautiful in her quiet way, standing tall with her classmates.
Sulema leading her classmates during the commencement march.
Most of them will continue their education with an eye on the University of Belize. But their high school degrees alone make them leaders in their community. They are people of influence now, with the respect and admiration of their peers.
As far as anybody knows, there are no college graduates in the village — at least none that were raised in the village. There are very few high school graduates — perhaps a dozen or two? Again, nobody knows, but it is certainly well below the Belizean average … which in turn is low by almost any standard. Into this community are added four outstanding young people with the knowledge, character, and confidence that can be an inspiration to all.
Three of the four graduates at the grad party.
Sulema, Amalia, Danald and Concepciona join the thought leaders of their community. They have been nourished spiritually through the wonderful discipleship of the PathLight staff, so they are filled with the hope of Christ. They have completed and even excelled at the academic challenges. They have been counseled and mentored into healthy young adults.
Their influence is going to be huge. And it will only grow over time.
The transformation of Armenia Village begins now. How long will it take? One never knows. But one thing is very clear to me: there is hope through faith and learning, and where there is hope … amazing things can happen.