“When I started Life Basics, I needed to handle being honest and also being able to clean up after myself. After finishing Life Basics I believe in myself more and feel better about myself. I can do things better. I can help handle other people more. Everything is easier for me.”

– D.H., 11 years old (Student)

“Hi! My name is K. and my son M. has gone to the Mojave Academy for six years. He started when he was nine years old. He was the kind of child who loved to find out about things, always checking things out with a great curiosity, always in motion. He had gone to private schools almost his entire life, and for the most part, he was told that he needed to be “still”, to stay “quiet” and not move around so much. The fact that an active child had trouble sitting in a classroom six or more hours a day seemed to be a problem to them.

“Both he and I got the idea something was wrong. And yet at home, he was enthusiastic and interested, loved to read and had boundless energy. After several losses in his education, he came to us one day and said that a friend had told him about a school that sounded really good. He told us about it and said at that time, “ If I went to that school, I would do really well.” So off he went.

“The first step of the school program was Life Basics and the first thing we notice about him after just ten days was how much calmer and more in-communication he was. The next big thing we noticed was that he started complaining how his clothes still looked dirty even after he had washed them – not bad for a kid who would wear the same clothes for a month if you didn’t make him change them!

“In Life Basics he learned how to take care of himself and his possessions and he had a pride in his ability to care for them. I remember he was home one weekend and he couldn’t wait to show us how he had learned to fold his shirts and actually wanted me to fold them the same way!

“Life Basics made him much more responsible and he became so much more a part of the family. For example, he would originate wanting to help around the house and was a lot more willing to do chores and earn his allowance.

“M. graduated Life Basics program after a few months a changed child and went on to do very well in the rest of the school program, where he continues to do well academically and have the greatest enthusiasm for his studies.

“Our family has flourished. We get along great together. When we go out for a meal others notice us because we are in such good communication, happy, and enjoying each other’s company. My husband and I have been able to take the time to study intensively and make a lot of headway. I am very proud of my son and the kind of adult I see him growing into each time he is home from the school. I will be eternally grateful to Joke, Sarah, Cheri and all the wonderful staff at Mojave Academy.”

- K. (Mother)

“I have a win on my initiative. When I see something wrong, I handle it right away and I look around for things to do. This school has helped me a lot. It’s just a great environment for me to be in. I love it so much. When I came here for the first month of the summer I had no intention of staying here longer than a month. Then I decided to stay for the second month and not only that I decided to stay for a year because I love it so much.

“Before I came here I was sometimes moody and never had the intention to help people or do anything. I didn’t have exchange with my parents either and now I have totally changed as a being. I am a happier person now.”

- R.R., 15 years old (Student)

“I came here as a brat, ungrateful and disrespectful person. I would always make fun of everyone, put everyone down, and start fights all the time. I was very confused with a lot of things, like mostly with myself. I was also lazy and wouldn’t want to help anyone. And I was very, very irresponsible.

“Now I’m very grateful, I would never think of being a brat, I’m also very respectful towards my family, especially towards my mom because I love her a lot. I have no urge to make fun of people or put anyone down. I feel like I could treat everyone well and have love for them almost as much as my real family. I’m more a friendly person now and don’t like to fight anymore, unless there’s a very good reason. I’m not feeling confused with myself anymore. I’m feeling very concentrated and direct. I have matured a lot and I don’t feel like a little kid anymore.

“I’m comfortable with how I look which I like a lot. I’m very confident now. I feel like I could go to any school and get to know everybody. I found out the true meaning of work and responsibility. If I had a job that could pay off my whole families living I would be able to do it because I’m not lazy anymore. I also like to talk to people more and just be friendly to people. That’s a better way of living.

“Only Mojave Academy could have fixed me to be a happy person. I’m grateful for your help to make me better and I couldn’t have done it without you!”

- J.H. 16 years old (Student)

“This is by far the most beneficial thing I’ve ever done for myself and my family in MY LIFE!

“Mojave Academy‟s Life Basics program has really opened my eyes in life to all the possibilities, most important the possibility to be happy and ethical in life. When I first came to Mojave my emotional tone was quite low and I was dark with no willingness to help others as well as myself, success was not an option. Now I enjoy production and I’m really able to do anything I put my mind to.

“I really understand what it means to be in exchange not only with my parents but also with the school. My life has really improved since I’ve been in exchange. My willingness and ability to make the right decisions has risen dramatically over my time at Mojave, now I’m really honest and I don‟t have to constantly watch myself to make sure I’m not in the middle of a big mess. I’ve straightened out my life for good, no more going up and down.

“Another thing Life Basics has helped me with is initiative. Now I love to study and often times I’ll occupy myself with a book rather than relaxing. I even go to staff study every night instead of hang out with friends.

“I also have a lot more confidence in myself, I’m a lot more out-spoken with my opinions and I don‟t have the need to “fit in” any more.

“I’m me, an uptone happy responsible student. I’d like to thank my parents for the opportunity and always supporting me and of course all the staff for helping me even when I acted like I didn’t want it! And a thanks to Cheri for encouraging me to be the best I can.

Thank you!”

- T.K., 14 years old (Student)