August 12, 2025

When Hope Grows: A Welder Inspires His Students

Growing up in poverty in Tanzania, it was hard for Emmanuel to attend school or have enough food. But when he was enrolled at the local Compassion center, everything changed. Watch this powerful video to see how the local church and the love of Christ rewrote Emmanuel’s story.


From Surviving to Dreaming: Emmanuel’s Journey

Life wasn’t easy for Emmanuel as a kid. His mother moved around a lot to look for work, so his grandparents raised him. Their home often flooded, and they never knew where their next meal would come from.  

Like many children in his rural region of Tanzania, Emmanuel struggled to go to school because he usually had to herd animals instead. With so little food or education, it was challenging for him to have hope for the future. 

Emmanuel was eventually reunited with his mother, and she enrolled him in their local Compassion program. That’s when things started to look more hopeful.  

Emmanuel says, “Being sponsored has really helped me, firstly spiritually. When I came here, they paid attention to spiritual issues. My life changed from there.” 

Emmanuel’s spiritual growth was only the beginning of change. His physical needs were met too. He got his very first bed, received clothes and food and was able to attend school. In school, Emmanuel could dream of a brighter future. 

“I could now see the light and realized that I could reach a certain point. I started thinking of one day being a teacher,” he says. 

Two young men are wearing protective eye gear and kneeling down in the Compassion workshop.

Watch the video to see how Emmanuel’s story became one of hope — and how he’s using his talents to grow hope in his community. 

A young woman sits in front of a laptop in an office as she smiles at the camera.

See What Happens When Hope Enters

Learn about Maureen and watch another impactful story of hope.