Motivated by Aim Higher Support and Desire to Deepen Faith

Assistance from the Aim Higher Foundation encourages one family as they deepen their faith in God

Alemka and Nicholas Maibin want their kids to know God. The African immigrants relocated to Minneapolis from Cameroon nearly 20 years ago, but the Catholic values that they garnered from their own Catholic education still guide them today. When the time came for the Maibins to start sending their children to school, they knew a Catholic education was of utmost significance. “It’s very important for the kids to know that there is somebody called God, you know? says Alemka. “You develop those values of honesty, fear of God, and love of one another, which are very, very important to us,” adds Nicholas.

The Maibins now have four children enrolled at St. Peter Catholic School in St. Paul, and each child is the recipient of an Aim Higher scholarship. “It is so impactful, and it’s gone a long way to help us,” says Alemka. “When a parent decides to send their kids to Catholic schools, I think they sacrifice a lot.” The assistance that the Maibins received from the Aim Higher Foundation provided the necessary motivation for the family to keep pursuing their faith, even when the sacrifices became difficult to face. “[I thought] if they can help me with this, then why can’t I continue to sacrifice for my kids?” reflects Nicholas.

It’s those sacrifices—along with the help of the Aim Higher Foundation—that have made a difference in the each of the four Maibin children’s lives. Pearl and Blessing—the two oldest—love St. Peter’s because they feel like their teachers make school fun. Pearl loves literature—Narnia is her favorite—and Blessing is a fan of playing Gaga ball in physical education. Neville treasures the friendships he’s made at school, but shyly admits his favorite subject is math. Meanwhile, the youngest Maibin, Belle, says she appreciates that her teacher cares about everyone in her class.

Alemka and Nicholas also value the supportive community that St. Peter’s offers to the parents. “We know the teachers, so whenever there’s a question or a concern, they are very quick to respond and we all try to find a solution,” says Alemka. “We love the community,” adds Nicholas. “They’re so caring and we appreciate what they do for our children.”

That all-encompassing mentality is part of what makes a Catholic school special. In addition to providing academic assistance, there’s an environment of support that the Maibins believe showcases the existence of God in the people around them. “We know these children go to a good school,” says Nicholas. “We see the way they relate to each other, the way they relate to their peers, their classmates,” says Alemka. “They are nice kids. They’re loving; they’re hardworking.”

“The goal is for them to know what God wants from them and from us,” concludes Alemka. “We’re just so grateful. If you ever get to talk to a donor, please just let them know we appreciate what they’re doing—it is awesome.”

About the Aim Higher Foundation
The Aim Higher Foundation provides $1,000 renewable student-based, tuition-assistance scholarships so that more children in the twelve-county Twin Cities metro area can experience the life-changing benefits of a Catholic education. Since 2012, the foundation has awarded over 18,500 scholarships – worth more than $17.5 million – to children to attend Catholic schools serving K-8 students in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.