Zahrah A. has big plans for her future. The Christel House South Africa 9th grader will study to be a lawyer when she graduates. But this bright, focused student shared she aspires to do more — she wants to become President of South Africa! Zahrah’s comment drew applause when she spoke as part of the 2017 Christel House Concert in Indianapolis. Growing up in Manenberg, one of the most dangerous and poorest townships in South Africa, Zahrah feels the legacy of apartheid is keeping her neighborhood depressed with a wide gap between the rich and poor that she says only education can bridge. Christel House is a refuge for her and her classmates. She says Christel House offers hope. “Hope is a wonderful thing. Christel House gives us hope because of the many opportunities and experiences they expose us to. They believe in us. They believe that we can actually become something one day and break the cycle of poverty.”
See more of Zahrah and her Christel House classmate Dale by clicking here.