The power of One Student
One Student is a community of people who believe in a world where everyone has the opportunity to work for a brighter future.
Each student invests in their own education by paying a small part of their tuition. Your monthly sponsorship covers the rest — making their training affordable and accessible.
Together, we’re creating sustainable change, one student at a time.
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2,319
students' dreams made possible through life-changing vocational training in West Africa
What students are saying
Rukas, Welding Graduate
“Thank you for the opportunity to attend this school because it gives young people the opportunity to learn something they can do to provide for themselves”
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Meet the students changing their future
Deusa, Computer Basics Graduate
“The skills I learned are helping me a lot. It’s very important to have this school here. It’s a blessing.”
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Meet the students changing their future
Rumario, Welding Graduate
“Before, I worked for others and got very little money. Now, I am doing my own jobs! WAVS gave me the training and experience I needed to be confident enough to take any job related to welding and do it.”
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A sponsor changed Cirilo’s life
Cirilo was born in Guinea-Bissau, one of the world’s smallest and poorest countries. As a child, he suffered from severe malaria and nearly died.
Despite these challenges, Cirilo managed to finish high school. But with no job skills, he had no work. That’s when he heard about the WAVS vocational school’s one-year welding program. With the support of a One Student sponsor, he was able to enroll. Soon after graduating, Cirilo opened his own welding workshop.
Give Monthly
“We believe in the work WAVS is doing to impact lives and communities in Guinea-Bissau. The One Student community offers a great way for us to be involved in that work! We hope to steward well all the Lord has given us, and the One Student community is one of the ways we can do that.”
The Smith Family
Members since 2020
“We need more organizations committed to building the whole person. Caring about their health, education, relationships and spiritual life. Giving to WAVS is a no-brainer for our family because we know we are using our resources to make a long term difference in one of the world’s most challenged communities.”
The Feil Family
Members since 2015
“We give because we have been given so much and it reminds us that all we have is from God. We love that our family gets to be a part of what God is doing in Guinea Bissau through WAVS. Our family can skip one meal out a month and provide a student with training. We love that $40 a month can make a big difference in Guinea-Bissau.”
The Isch Family
Members since 2015
“We give to WAVS to stay connected to the movement. The movement of individuals bent on building a better future for themselves, their families, and their country. You inspire us!”
The Smith Family
Members since 2015
“I am a firm believer in the following proverb: ‘Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.’ I believe this is an extremely powerful and tangible way to spread the Gospel in developing countries because not only does it help the students directly involved in WAVS, but it also equips them to provide for the needs of others and make new disciples of Christ.”
Bailey
Member since 2020
“We support One Student because we have seen the incredible effectiveness of strong, Gospel-centered leadership to equip the people of Guinea-Bissau to be true transformation agents in their own communities.”
The Hawley Family
Members since 2017
