It has been a fantastic year for the children at Brave Hearts, as we were able to fulfill our objectives of being able to change the lives of children in our care. I'm personally proud to share that just within three years of operation, 8 of our children joined university studying 1st, 2nd , 3rd and final year of a degree course ranging from, Engineering, Accounting, management and nutrition science. 10 children are doing skills training, and 19 children graduated from our program as successful young adults, with gainful employment. I'm also happy to inform you that by the end of this month one of the Soul of Africa sponsored girl, Desta will graduate from the program as a very happy, confident, and self reliant strong girl. She is qualified as a professional beauty therapist and gained a full-time employment. Her story is remarkable. Desta, is an orphan who lives with her aunt. Born in Sebeta, about 25 kilometers from Addis Ababa, Desta’s mother succumbed to malaria when Desta was just five. She then lived with her father until he became mentally ill. Her grandmother brought her to Addis Ababa, where she lived with the help of her uncle until he passed away. Her grandmother also passed away, and Desta has lived with her aunt since then. Life was very hard for Desta until she joined BTO. When BTO closed, life was once again scary for Desta, Brave Hearts rescued her in 2014. Desta sat the national exam for the entrance to University, she then joined BHO funded skills training as a hairdresser at a private institution, she completed a 12-month training and is now a qualified beautician with gainful employment at one of the top beauty salons and spas in Addis Ababa. She has become one of the strongest and most committed girls in our program. Desta will graduate from Brave Hearts on 31st December 2016, but she will remain a part of our extended family. We are so very grateful for your support, without your generousity Desta wouldn’t have become the happy, healthy, and capable young girl who is already a role model many in her village and contributing to her community. It is evident that those children have proven that if they are given the opportunity, there is noting that can stop them from achieving their potentials. This was made possible because of you and I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for giving the children a bright future and and assisted them become independent productive citizens. I've also attached a photograph of myself on my last visit to Addis Ababa, maybe I learnt more from the children than they learnt from me ! What a wonderful and humbling experience.