Stella has been coming to our Urafiki Center for 6 years now. The third eldest in a family of three boys and three girls, life has been hard for Stella. Her father suffered for many years with a chest illness and died when she was still young. Stella’s mother, a kind and sweet-natured woman, took on the care of her nephew when he became orphaned, even though she had 6 children of her own to provide for already and meager possibilities.

Stella had a difficult upbringing, with extreme poverty and loss	The Urafiki Center has made all the difference for these girls

While at our center, Stella was always quiet and withdrawn, and for a long time we weren’t sure if all the personal attention, encouragement and training she was receiving were having much of a positive effect. Nevertheless, we were hopeful that it was making a difference in her life little by little. 

Sewing class: Stella (right) wearing the white skirt she made	Stella (center) had always dreamed of the opportunity to be able to learn computer

The story continues… six years later we witnessed a dramatic change in Stella!  Her dark, sad, hopeless countenance was replaced by a glimmer of hope and courage. Soon enough she was actually smiling! The character building and foundations of faith training classes had finally paid off, and we rejoiced to see the positive and cheerful young woman she had become. 

Fast friends: Queenie, Romana and Stella	Stella is a role model for the younger kids

Stella now has passion and her life is filled with hope. Soon she will be graduating from a private catholic school with honors, being among the top in her class. She plans to become a pediatric doctor and help her community after completing her studies, adding that she knows God has a plan and a destiny for her. When asked about the success in her studies and her work ethic she testified that God had greatly helped her.

Stella (right) soon to graduate from highschool	Displaying handcrafted gifts for MFS sponsors

This story of Stella’s changed life is a beautiful testament to the goals and aspirations of the Urafiki Center: Helping others to find their place in life, with God’s help, and to live their lives with excellence, passion and purpose.

--This story contributed by Miles for Smiles Project Manager Sandra Bellaviti