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They are our heroes and role models for others to follow – Christel DeHaan

Over decades of work, Christel House has been part of the lives of nearly 30,000 students, their families, and their communities. Being a catalytic supporter in their journeys of resilience, determination, and transformation. Until now, most of those stories have been told through reports, milestones, and outcomes. Over the years, we have measured our progress not only through student enrolment numbers, caregiver engagement rates, graduation rates, and employment outcomes, but through the quality of the lives they lead beyond our walls. The numbers only tell one part of the story. The real story lives in the people behind them, and that is the story From Classrooms to Life tells.

Behind every statistic is a child who is discovering that they can transcend the poverty cycle, a parent who has found support and hope, and alumni who have returned to inspire the current generation. These are the moments that rarely come to life in progress reports, yet they are the moments where lasting transformation truly happens.

From Classrooms to Life captures how support and transformation extend beyond Christel House’s classrooms. It’s not a story about programme outcomes. It is not a case study. It’s a story that brings to life the voices of the students, alumni, teachers and parents alike.

Christel House partnered with the award-winning team at Moirai Films, and over 38 days, the filmmakers travelled across six countries – spending time with students, families, educators, and alumni in the places where their stories continue to unfold. The director, Paul Burger, and producers Vanessa Lanci and Andre Porteous created a space for honest reflection, allowing each participant to share their journey with Christel House in an authentic and deeply human way. Rather than directing conversations or scripting scenes, the filmmakers chose to listen.

Each story is deeply personal. Together, they reveal something universal: when children are surrounded by people who believe in their potential, they are empowered to create futures that extend far beyond the classroom.

This documentary offers a window into the people at the heart of Christel House and the relationships that make it possible. Whether you are discovering Christel House for the first time or have supported our mission for many years, the film offers a deeper appreciation of the journeys behind the work. It reminds us that transformation is rarely the result of a single moment, but of countless acts of unwavering commitment and care over time.

We invite you to watch From Classrooms to Life and meet the people whose stories remind us that breaking the cycle of poverty begins with a community that invests in a child’s future.

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