God Directed My Path - Nitajah
By Andy Hoag | Video by Andy Hoag • Sep 02, 2020
Nitajah, one of our 2020 graduates, shares her story, her plans for the future, and her experience at GBCH&FM
We’re excited to celebrate Nitajah’s graduation from Central High School in Carrollton! Nitajah enjoys going to school, mainly to socialize with her friends, like many other high schoolers. She was a cheerleader for the basketball team and math is her favorite subject.
Following her graduation, Nitjah is attending Clark Atlanta University in the fall, where she plans to study either nursing or social work. Her goal of becoming a nurse started when Nitajah was about eight-years-old and she was living with her grandmother.
Her grandmother became ill, so with her passion for helping others, Nitajah quickly stepped up to do what she could, helping with things like measuring medicine doses and doing chores around the house. Unfortunately, her grandma’s health continued to decline until she passed away, but not before the dream to become a nurse was instilled in her granddaughter.
“She was the one who inspired me to be a nurse,” Nitajah says. “She wanted me to be successful in life and she was telling me that she would love for me to be a nurse.”
After her grandmother passed away, Nitajah entered DFCS care and spent the next several years going from one home to the next, totalling six different homes and eight different schools in just ten years. But of those ten years, three have been at our Alice’s House group home, where Nitajah feels safe, where she’s formed close bonds with the staff, and where she’s learned more about herself.
“My life has pretty much been a lot of obstacles that I’ve had to go through,” Nitajah shares. “But I had to let God be the direction of my path. I had to let Him take over and let Him take me where I need to be.”
Because of everything she’s experienced, Nitajah also sees social work as a possible career path she would like to pursue if she changes her mind on nursing. “I like kids and I want to work with youth that have been through stuff like me,” she says.
Join us in praying for Nitajah as she embarks on this new chapter of her life, that God will fill her with peace over any nervousness she has during this time of change, and wisdom to be on the path that is His best for her life.
We’re so proud of you, Nitajah, and congratulations on the huge accomplishment of graduating high school!
Because of your support, lives are forever changed.
Thank you for giving children and families hope and a home.
Read more stories of the difference you're making:
Georgia Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries is excited to announce the appointment of our new Senior Chaplain, Byron Smith.
“Our mission is to provide a nurturing, structured, and safe environment that fosters a sense of trustworthiness which is key in building rapport with our residents,” Sara explains. “I believe that children have a need to belong and if that need is not fulfilled in a positive way, they often resort to misbehavior. We understand the necessity of expressing God’s unconditional love to youth with challenging behaviors. Our goal is to accept them as they are, welcome them, and let change happen organically with time.”
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
