As we became more acquainted with each student, we heard their stories and listened as they shared their struggles. Adam confessed that he had been a party person the past few years, but also made a point of letting us know that he knew – that was a dead end road. We watched as day by day, lesson by lesson, Adam grew strong in character and pushed through to meet his goals. He proved to be a great server, with excellent communication skills and warm smile which made his customers comfortable. He showed respect for authority, concern for his classmates and demonstrated a team player attitude. Whether serving tables or prep-cooking in the kitchen, Adam stayed focused and thorough in his training.
At the conclusion of the program Adam received a letter of recommendation from Garden Cafe and had achieved the confidence to apply for work in hospitality. We had not seen Adam in about three months and wondered how he was doing. Just a week ago, Adam walked into the cafe with a big smile greeting us warmly. What a pleasant surprise!
Of course, we asked him what he was doing now. He proudly reported that he is working at a busy restaurant in Windhoek, making good money and enjoying it. We could see the satisfaction on his face. He had received a boost forward by being in the YDM program and now he was moving ahead – setting goals and finding the success he only dreamed about one year ago.
This is what we get excited about and what motivates us to continue when it gets challenging. Young people like Adam determined to succeed just need a little push in the right direction.
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