Honor inspires others to nursing dreams
By Staff writer |
Patient in Shalom ward, Asia
Honor is a 19-year-old girl who deeply loves her family. After her father passed away, she was expected to do all the household chores and take care of her two younger sisters, often staying up late at night to finish her schoolwork.
Honor’s mother had never stepped out of the house and was struggling to feed her children and find employment. “My mother, my siblings and I were seen as [a] burden…While my brother was seen as only hope of the family just because he is [a] boy.” This painful experience of Honor’s family clearly depicts gender-based discrimination.
However, Honor was enrolled into Shalom’s peer leadership and educator programmes where her spark to inspire young people was visible to the team. When Shalom initiated the Invisible girl project to empower vulnerable girls from Hope for Life (HFL) families, Honor was the first candidate to be recruited into the programme and fully utilised the opportunity given to her.
Months before Honor was about to graduate from high school there was pressure on her to start earning to support her family. However, she grabbed an opportunity provided to her through Shalom to pursue a 3-year GNM (general nursing and midwifery) course. “No girl in my family has pursued higher education let alone pursuing a noble profession like nursing. I am thrilled to be given this opportunity and I will make sure to give my all to make my dream of becoming a nurse a reality.”
Honor is in her second year of GNM training, passionately pursuing her studies. One of her peers is pursuing her 1st year GNM and two are working hard to apply for GNM next year. Honor’s example has opened doors for HFL families to take bold steps in pursuing higher education, not only impacting their own lives but young women in their families and community. “I look forward to being a nurse who can be an agent of deep healing in the lives of patients I serve just as Shalom was an agent of healing in my life.”
But it is truly her Christian faith which has kept her grounded, influencing her desire to be an agent of change in her community. Having heard the gospel through Shalom’s projects such as home visits and outreaches conducted in partnership with different churches, Honor regularly attends church and daily devotions in a hostel where she is staying. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we look forward to witnessing the ways her life will touch the lives of the patients she serves!
Related stories
In Carrie’s classroom, Jesus is shaping hearts and minds for his kingdom
When mission workers with young families leave their home country, a major concern is how their children will get on. While the parents are out serving, the kids need stability, education, and spiritual nurturing. That’s where teachers like Carrie come in. Originally from Kansas, Carrie now teaches at a mission school in Liberia, part of Dakar Academy in Senegal, shaping young hearts and minds for God’s kingdom.
What might God do in 2025?
As we step into 2025, there is a sense of excitement and expectancy among those serving in mission work worldwide. From remote villages to bustling cities, SIM’s Entity Directors are preparing for what lies ahead, trusting God to bring transformation and hope to unreached and underserved communities. To gain insight into their vision and prayers for the year, we spoke with leaders across the globe about their hopes, challenges, and how the global Christian community can pray and support their work.
How the local church in France adapts to secularism and a changing society
France is a country of contrasts: rich in history, arts, and culture. Yet, as French native Vincent, Head of Communications for SIM France/Belgium, explains, it is also a nation of deep spiritual need. Things are starting to change, though. There is a growing openness to faith and a pressing need for mission work.
