The School That Gave Me Strength

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. It is situated off the southeastern coast of Africa. The population is approximately 25 million, and there is about 155 people for every Adventist. Here, rice paddy fields stretch into the horizon, both in the capital city of Antananarivo (ant-uh-nohn-uh-reevo) and in the rural areas.In this peaceful setting, the Adventist Church owns and operates the Adventist University of Zurcher (zer-sher).

This university offers affordable, quality higher education in an environment committed to Seventh-day Adventist values. Since 1996, ithas promoted the development of the whole person through academic, religious, and social programs.

“In 2013, the Adventist University of Zurcher received funds from the 13th Sabbath Offering for two buildings: the university library and the technology building. The construction of these buildings helped the university accomplish its mission by allowing more students to get a university education.”

The library is one of the biggest university libraries in the country. Many academic and spiritual books line its shelves. Students have online access and enjoy open spaces for group study. The building also houses the Ellen G. White Research Center and the language institute, where students can learn to read, write, and speak both French and English.

Marouha (mah-RUE-ah) is a student at Zurcher. She loves the language institute and is grateful for the opportunity to attend school here. To her, Zurcher is more than just a school she studies at; it’s a place where she can live out her faith. When Marouha first accepted the Adventist message and chose to be baptized, she feared her family would disown her and send her away.

“My parents didn’t accept my decision. It was a challenging time for me. I drew strength from talking with teachers and friends. My friends stayed by my side and helped me stand firm in my decision.”

Marouha now feels closer to God as she studies His word and connects with like-minded friends. She is studying nursing so she can help people in need.

Students have also benefited from the new technology building, where the university expanded its curriculum. Here, more students can be equipped for this high-demand field.

“The new technology building is very nice. We have a suitable laboratory. The space is big; there is room for everyone. We have one computer per student for hands-on training.”

“I would like to send a message to all of the members of the Adventist Church who gave to the 13th Sabbath Offering for the Adventist University of Zurcher. Thank you because, from your offering, we were able to make our dream a reality!”

For more than 100 years, the 13th Sabbath Offering has empowered the Seventh-day Adventist Church to launch boats, heal the sick, build schools, reach the unreached, and change lives in many countries. Thank you for supporting the 13th Sabbath Offering this quarter!

NOTES

As for the computer science department we get more students to improve their skills in computer technology. This is one of the biggest libraries of the country for a college so I went to matian particularly our language Laboratory that helps our students to improve their listening and speaking skills now they may become more competitive in their future workplace that will help then have better success in searching for a new job as a university we aim 2 we seek to accomplish academic Excellence social and spiritual Excellence of character and we believe that the construction of the two buildings helped us to accomplish this Mission we are able to touch more students into reach more lives when we have these two buildings because at the library students can share their spiritual experiences on top of Gary Knowledge from their books and their materials

I would like to send a message to all of the Adventist members who gave an offering for the 13th Sabbath for the Adventist University Zurcher. Thank you because from your offering we were able to make a dream a reality.

Marouha Genevieve - Student at Zurcher University

The school helps me a lot in my spiritual life.

Because of the new building we have schedule for the library to be open at night. When she did not have anything to do, she’d go to the library to read some books. She often tried learning English. She also read french books where she could learn french. She also learned French by watching movies with the girls

The language lab helped the language students. The lab helped them because when they are there, they must speak another language. The lab helps students get better jobs. When you talk about business all negotiations are done in French or English.

SID1803_ES_MAD_097

6:30

The important thing during her journey is how God has changed her life. She was young and foolish doing selfish things but then God came through and showed her a new way. She now understands that God is besides her.

Whenever I go, I always felt the help from God and happiness within because He was beside me.

“I would like to encourage my friends who are making tough decisions in their lives. Never go back on your decisions, stand firm. When I chose to be baptized against my parents’ approval, I always remembered that God is with me. With God you can be victorious, you can overcome.”

“ if I make these positive decisions others now because I have passed through difficult struggles and I can say that if you are with God you can be victorious and you can overcome any difficulty. Sometimes the obstacles pull you down but with God anyone can do anything.”

If I hadn’t been here, it wouldn’t be the same. It’s very different when you study in secular school and Christian school.

The parents did not accept, the only strength I got was because I talked with teachers and friends. My friends tried to be on my side every time I had trouble continueing with my decision.

This was during secondary school.

I want to help patients.

AS THE SCHOOL GREW THROUGH THE 13TH SABBATH OFFERING, SHE ENROLLED AND FOUND A PLACE OF REFUGE AMONG FRIENDS AND TEACHERS OF THE SAME CHRISTIAN FAITH.

She wants to encourage friends who are making tough decision in their life. If you stand firm in your decisions, their will be a reward. Even though my parents said that I would be reject from the family and I was no longer their daughter.

She was not threatened, but the though challenge was with unclean foods. They pressured her to eat things she had decided not to eat anymore.

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Good intro

Elienne - Computer Science, Student

3rd year student

0:47-1:07

Computer science is really good for her. The teachers stay with you throughout the whole program.

The new technology building is very nice, we have a nice laboratory. The space is big, there is space for everyone. We can have one computer per student. There is possibility of hands-on training for everyone.

My favorite thing at the university is the week of prayers. It boosts me spiritually and I feel closer to God.