by Ruth Gummin (16 years)
What comes to mind when you hear the words “summer” and “teen”? You might think of swimming, ice-cream, rollercoasters or summer job. Regardless of the activity, it really should involve hanging out with your friends enjoying life and making life-long memories. And that’s just what brings mixed feelings for me when summer vacation comes around. I do love being able to sleep in past 6:00, having some lazy time in my room, and traveling with my parents. But what fun is it when you’re the only teen left at your house?
For me, summer is probably the loneliest time of the year because all of my Seng friends have gone back to their hometown. I’m used to living in a tight circle with them; we eat, study, sing and act like crazy teens together. We even argue, but we always make up. I have grown so close to some of the girls that they are like my extended family and I introduce them as my older sisters. I have learned to love them as sisters from different parents. My best friend, Sophia, has taught me many life skills and given me an example to follow; she is someone I look up to and admire. I have learned so much from the girls, I don’t know how my life would be if they hadn’t come to live with us. I would have definitely missed out on some of the best years of my life.
(Ruth lives at Project Eden with her parents, Dale & Cyndi. Together they provide a safe and nurturing home to many girls from the Seng Girls Home to catch-up on lost education, and open doors of opportunity for each girl to have a vibrant and independent future. Their dedication is an inspiration to anyone who visits their program. At Captivating we see girls arrive at Project Eden shy and lacking confidence, but leaving a few years later confident, full of life and ready to take on the world. We know the key is an environment based on the love of genuine family. Ruth, thanks for being a key part of that. For more information about Project Eden, contact juliec@captivating.org).
Jituo Moseniu, a devoted mother of three, works tirelessly on her farm to provide for her children, but her income of 20,000 yuan (USD 2,824) barely covers their needs. With hope in her heart, Jituo is determined to give her children a brighter future, and the support from the Pig Farming Program is helping her get there.
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Qumume and her family, despite facing significant financial and health challenges, have found new hope through the Chicken Farming Program. Her husband’s chronic illness and a burdensome loan once made their future uncertain, but with the program’s support, they are beginning to turn things around. The healthy chicks they now raise are a symbol of new possibilities.
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The Husky Energy Tailoring (HET) Skills Program for Women has been completed this year, and 29 out of 31 trainees graduated last August 16th after three months of training.
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In the summer of 2024, 402 graduates from the One More Year (OMY) Scholarship Program were filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared to start a new chapter in their lives.
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Teacher Yang Yujiao is a volunteer teacher in our Support a Volunteer Teacher program in China.
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Wei Jinling is one of the scholars under the One More Year Scholarship Program in China.
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