Education is the Foundation
Karembera Petrus begins his final year in 2020, studying a double major in Library and Information Science with a minor in Sociology.
Karembera’s secondary education was sponsored by Dr. Petie Brown from Hawaii, who established the program for school dropouts at Family of Hope Services back in 2006. Karembera works part-time to fund his University studies, receives small donations from people who support him, but requires additional financial support to lesson his struggle.
Leaving an Abusive Situation
When Karembera Petrus was less than 10 years old, his father died in their village of Rundu, and Kerembera had to quit school to look after the family cattle. While on the farm and at various family homes, Karembera endured abuse and suffering. It wasn’t until 2006, when his mother, Lovisa, moved the family to Windhoek to seek a better life for her children that Karembera’s life took a turn full of hope. Lovisa was introduced to Family of Hope Services (FHS) by a community worker, and it was then that Karembera was able to take tutoring to prepare him for acceptance into high school. He entered Grade 8 and continued his studies until 2014 when he matriculated from Grade 12 at the age of 21. He prepared for University and received some help from his sponsor, Dr. Petie Brown from Hawaii (pictured with Karembera), to complete his post-secondary education.
Karembera with his sponsor, Dr. Petie Brown.
Sponsorship made an incredible difference in Karembera’s life and in the lives of all of the children at FHS. Karembera is finally reveling in his new hope for the future. Yet he knows that without financial support to go to school, he would never have had the opportunity to get even a basic education. He is smart and works hard at University, just like so many of the other FHS students who do not want to waste the good fortune that has come their way through sponsorship. After years of applying himself, he is coming close to finishing a Bachelor degree.
Karembera making a presentation at University.
Karembera still lives with his family which consists of his mother, Lovisa, uncles, cousins, and several siblings, all under one roof in a very small tin building partitioned into four rooms. Watch the interview with Karembera on NBC News.
Karembera helping out with the children before he went to University.
