We are ecstatic to announce this year's recipients of the Teddy Belayneh Memorial Scholarship: Nathanael Belayneh (left) and Marii Balcha (right)! -
Whether its Nathanael's aspirations in Engineering, or Marii's passion for kinesiology/physiotherapy, the unifying thread of this year's recipients is their passion for community involvement. Impressed by their dedication, we asked "What is the impact you want to have on your community?" -
Marii Balcha: "I want to have an impact on my community by being a helping hand anywhere I can. I want to influence existing recreational programs to empower our youth. I would also like to further serve at church as well as the community outside of the church with love, support and encouragement. I want to inspire others to do the same and facilitate lasting change in the community." -
Nathanael Belayneh: "There was a point in my life when I had everything that I had dreamed of as a kid: great grades, a great girlfriend, and a future that looked very promising. But there came a night in that season, that amidst all the 'success' I came face-to-face with something that completely altered both the course of my life and the person I am today. What I encountered was the Love of God and I have never been the same since that night. And so every day for the rest of my life, I want to be a living encounter of the love of God and show people how incredibly valuable their lives are to God. I want everyone in my community to live knowing that they have a Father who wants to fulfill their longing for acceptance with His love and wants to set them FREE from the things that oppress them." -
Congratulations you two - keep on inspiring!
Our next annual scholarship will begin in early 2019.