Celebrating Christmas & Our Achievements in 2025

Merry Christmas & Happy New year

Achievements in 2025

Painting the back of the classroom building & erecting football nets

In 2025, maintenance at The University of Life has been high on our priority list. With such a big facility, this is now a huge part of running the project safely. Thanks to your support, we have completed work to improve drainage across the compound and repair gutters, seals and roofing on many of the buildings.

UNiViDA funds were used to build a large retaining wall between the chapel and the gymnasium to slow the accumulation of water behind the dining room. We have also carried out painting and plaster repairs on the classroom buildings.

A large net system has been installed to improve the football pitch and protect the perimeter walls.

UNiViDA funds were used to upgrade the pick-up van to a 2025 model, purchase new computer screens for the classroom, repair the hot water boiler for the kitchen and repair rust on the Kombi van.

We are grateful for your gifts and support, which have enabled us to achieve these projects. Thank you.

Silvia

Thank you for your prayers for Silvia, the teaching co-ordinator at The University of Life. Silvia has finished her chemotherapy and is regaining strength. She has visited the project and hopes to return in the new year.

Graduates

Our year 9 graduates are celebrating their achievements at the project before moving full-time into secondary school next year.

In Motion During The Holidays

This autumn The University of Life was delighted to host Ballet Magnificat as part of their 2025 tour of the north-eastern region of Brazil. The company, based in Curitiba, is dedicated to communicating the Christian message through ballet.

The group of 14 dancers taught all the students ballet and jazz, inspiring them with their testimonies of faith and journeys to becoming professional dancers.

On the last night of their stay, over 500 people from the local community came to watch a performance of their ballet ‘Face to Face.’ The story is of two ballerinas, one who is kind and compassionate, and the other who is redeemed after making selfish choices and falling into temptation.

The show was spectacular, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to host them.
Please be sure to watch this month’s video with scenes from the ballet.

Highlights from the week with Ballet Magnificat

Alicia

Eight-year-old Alicia lives in a small home with her parents and two older sisters. Her father works long shifts, day or night, as a doorman. Her mother, a devoted nursing technician, often works evening shifts as well. Both parents value their jobs and realize that they are key to keeping their family afloat.

When Alicia first came to The University of Life, she carried with her quiet uncertainty. Reading was hard, writing felt confusing, and her hands struggled with the movements other children seemed to master easily. More than anything, she found it difficult to express what she felt inside, as if her thoughts were hidden behind a closed door.

But as the months passed, something began to change. She began speaking a little more confidently, interacting with her classmates, and participating in classroom activities. Little by little, syllables -simple ones at first, then more complex began to make sense. Her letters flowed more smoothly across the page, each loop and curve, a small achievement. She even found her voice, learning to share her opinions and thoughts with those around her. Despite their long working hours, Alicia’s parents watched their daughter’s achievements. To them, The University of Life is a place filled with dedication, kindness, and love. Her parents couldn’t be more grateful.