Close to Africa Foundation "Excellence Scholarship" - Rwanda

What is the Close to Africa Foundation’s “Excellence Scholarship” about?

The Excellence Scholarship is open to Rwandan youth who graduate from our partner schools with excellent final exam results but are unable to pursue university studies due to their social circumstances. Our goal is to help these talented young people move beyond subsistence farming and acquire skills in professions that will enable them to support not only themselves but also their communities.

What is the situation of higher education in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, universities are not free. The government provides student loans to a few students with excellent results, covering their university tuition fees. However, many talented students are unable to pursue higher education because they cannot afford the living expenses, thus remaining stuck in subsistence farming. We want to help the students we know and support, enabling them to access higher education, find a profession, and ultimately rise above their circumstances.

What kind of activities does the Close to Africa Foundation conduct in Rwanda?

The foundation provides educational opportunities and ensures school attendance for nearly eighty children through its child support program at four rural locations. The program focuses on paying the required school fees directly, rather than distributing money, thus ensuring the children's education. These costs, up to graduation, can be covered with a few thousand forints per month, which are paid by private sponsors for each child. However, university costs increase significantly due to the student's relocation to another city, which is why the establishment of a fund becomes necessary.

Our foundation also provides mentoring for students of high school graduation age, which proves to be just as important as financial support. The mentoring can continue throughout the admission process and the university years.

What should be known about the scholarship?

The scholarship allocation is decided by a board based on applications from our partner schools. The scholarship will primarily be announced among the students who have participated in our child support program. The students will sign a contract with the foundation, committing to not have children during their studies and to meet the specified minimum academic requirements. In the first year, our goal is to support three scholarship students.

How is feedback provided to the supporters?

The foundation sends a report twice a year about the supported university students: including their report cards, photos, and updates.

Who do we count on for support?

For the construction of the foundation, we rely on contributions from both corporate and private donors. We enter into support agreements with corporate sponsors as needed. Our foundation is a public benefit organization, and the contributions made to us can be written off as costs and can be presented as part of corporate social responsibility.

Excellence Scholarship – Mali

Years ago, the state higher education system in Mali collapsed due to lack of funding.. Students who graduate from high school are theoretically eligible to enter public universities, but in practice, courses do not start due to teacher strikes that last for months or even years. In response to this situation, numerous private universities and colleges have opened their doors in Bamako in the past decade. We enroll our most talented students in these private institutions as well. Their scholarships are funded through private donor groups and Hungary Helps Program’s funds. In addition to financial support, we provide mentorship to our students with the goal of helping them find job opportunities while staying in their homeland.

To apply, please write to the info@kozelafrikahoz.hu email address.