“I was about three or four years old when we first heard about the Homes,” she tells us. “At the time, we were really struggling. When a friend saw how difficult our situation was, she told us about Dr Graham’s Homes and suggested we apply for a sponsorship with DGHUK.

“My mum really wanted me to have a better chance at life. Discovering there was a way I could go to school, be well cared for, and grow up in a safe and supportive environment, she knew it was the right step. It was a hard decision for her to send me away from our home, but she did it out of love and hope for my future.”

A year on, Cynderella is now enrolled on a course at the International Institute of Hotel Management and loving every moment of it:

“The course covers a wide range of subjects related to the hospitality industry – everything from food production and service, to housekeeping, front office operations, hospitality marketing and communication,” she adds. “We also get exposure to practical training, which helps us understand how a real hotel or restaurant operates.”

All being well, Cynderella hopes to secure her first role in the travel or hospitality sectors once she graduates from college.

“One day, I hope to represent a respected airline or cruise company and make my sponsors and family proud,” she says. “The Extended Sponsorship scheme has been such a blessing for me. It gave me the opportunity to chase my dreams without the constant worry of how to pay for fees, books, and transport. It made me feel seen and supported, like someone truly believed in me and my potential.”

We’re so pleased to hear about Cynderella’s progress – and we’re looking forward to hearing about the next chapter in her story!