Dambulo: No Such Thing as a “Lost Cause”

Youth in School

City: Netanya

About a month ago, I was told that five girls who participate in ENP’s SPACE Program would not be allowed to take their final math matriculation exam because despite their progress with the program, their grades were still too low. I was not going to sit quietly by and let these girls graduate with incomplete matriculation certificates. I immediately contacted the girl’s school teachers. Luckily, the Netanya school where the girls learn and the Ethiopian National Project have an exceptionally positive relationship. ENP and the school are both completely dedicated to helping Ethiopian-Israeli youth succeed. The school gave me permission to set a date for a pre-exam for these students. In Israel, the pre-exam to the actual matriculation exam is a significant percentage of students’ final grade and determines if students will be allowed to take the matriculation exam. If the girls passed the pre-exam they would be allowed to take the matriculation exam. The next few months were a whirlwind of personal conversations with each of the students to increase their motivation and to encourage them in their ability to succeed, along with intense hours of studying and extra scholastic assistance.

On the day of the exam, the girls were nervous. They understood the importance of the exam and that it was one of the keys to their graduating high school with matriculation certificates which ultimately determine university acceptance. Two of the girls passed with flying colors and got a 90 on the exam. Two of the girls got a 55, which is considered a passing grade and allows the girls to take the actual matriculation exam. One girl got a 40 and will not be allowed to take the matriculation exam. The girls who succeeded were jubilant. After they finished celebrating their successes, they started studying for the matriculation exam.

I succeeded, with my colleagues and the girls’ drive, in "saving" four of the five girls. Not a perfect ending, but I’ll keep trying to make sure every kid I come in contact with will make it in Israel. My colleagues feel the same way and do exactly as I do. Each of the girls learned a lesson to never give up- and that we will never give up on them. That is what is so special about SPACE- every child gets a chance to reach his potential, and there is no such thing as a “lost cause”.