This is Revo.

This is Revo. 

Revo is twenty-four years old and a past student of Make A Difference. 

The proof of the program lies within the life of Revo. He grew up in the Uru-Shimbwe village in Tanzania. He was living with his father and step-mother until his father passed away from several health issues including tuberculosis and diabetes. 

Revo was sent to live with his mother when his father passed away.

His mother struggled to take care of Revo so she sent him to his aunt and uncles home.

It was at this time when two women, Irene and Lily, entered his village in search of children needing quality education and a chance at a better life. 

The village leader suggested the women visit Revo's home. The women visited Revo and spoke with his family. His family sent Revo with these women. 

Sitting across from me under a shade-tree at the MAD guesthouse, Revo shared, "I was 14 then and even when I got in the vehicle with these two women I didn't know where I was going. I thought they would take me back to the village later, but they didn't." 

The women brought Revo to an orphanage. 

They told Revo they were traveling to Arusha, another town in Tanzania, to make money in order to send Revo to school.

A few weeks later, the women returned and brought Revo to Royal Academy, a boarding school. 

Revo (left) and Deo (Right) with a current MAD student

At Royal Academy Revo excelled in his studies and worked hard to get in to an even better school called ISM, a secondary school. 

ISM is very expensive but with the help of Make A Difference and the scholarship he received, Revo was accepted and eventually graduated from ISM. 

His hard work didn't end there. 

He wanted an even better education. He wanted to attend Duke University in North Carolina. 

Revo applied to Duke and got an interview. He was nervous for the interview. Before starting the interview, Revo had to share with the interviewers that the power could go out during the interview.

They said that was okay.

He got accepted and has attended Duke University for one year now.

Revo is currently in Tanzania for summer break visiting family and friends and completing an internship with MAD. 

When he left Tanzania he thought he wanted to pursue computer science but now it has changed to statistics. At Duke he sings in an African A Capella group called Amamdla, which means power. 

He hopes to play in some intramural soccer leagues next year.

When I asked Revo about the difference between US education and TZ education, he said that TZ education is much more rigid in strict studies whereas the US education encourages more extracurriculars. 

He also noticed that teachers in the US expected students to participate in class discussion whereas in TZ students do not speak often. 

Revo is a true success story of what Make A Difference does. 

He is now a great role model for younger students just like him. He shows that hard work does pay off. 

It's not hard to believe that his full name "Revogatus" means "The Persistent One" in latin. 

Although Revo has been through a lot, his journey has only just begun. He looks to the future with bright eyes and a cheerful heart for all that is possible. 

Persistence is key. 

For more information about Make A Difference, visit the website.
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