College Access for Malawi, Uganda, Zambia Students

Although we are still waiting to hear back on many opportunities, USAP Zambia is proud to announce 5 successes so far in our first cycle of applications! Afonso and Helder are Angolan refugees who live in Mayukwayukwa Refugee Camp, and were sponsored by Pestalozzi World during secondary school.  Both boys have successfully obtained admission and scholarships to attend 4-year universities in the US beginning in Fall (August) 2018. Afonso has gained admission to Kalamazoo College in Michigan with a $120,000 merit scholarship, as well as additional need-based financial aid to cover the cost of living. Helder has gained admission to Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and been awarded the prestigious Wheaton Refugee Scholarship, of which only one is awarded each year. This scholarship covers all tuition and fees, room and board, cost of books, and a flight between Zambia and the US every year. Helder has also been selected to take part in the President's Global Leadership Development Group, a select group of international scholars who will work with the university president and other administrators to develop their leadership skills and collaborate to address a global issue on campus.

In addition to these achievements, we have just heard that three more students have been selected by the Zambian National Committee for United World College to complete the 2-year International Baccalaureate at different locations around the world: Christian has been selected to attend Robert Bosch College in Germany, Rabecca has been selected to attend UWC Adriatic in Italy, and Silivan has been selected to attend Mahindra College in India, as part of the new UWC Refugee Initiative, which provides 100 scholarships to refugees annually. USAP Zambia is working in conjunction with the Zambian National Committee and the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that refugees residing in Zambia continue to have access to this opportunity. We are very proud of our USAP Zambia students, and look forward to sharing more news in the next few months!

With these successes in mind, we are in the midst of recruiting next year's cohort. We have received 53 applications, and are excited to have successfully increased the number of strong female candidates (34) by partnering with two additional girls' schools on recommendation of the Provincial Education Office. We anticipate our selection committee will have difficulty narrowing it down to 15!

USAP Uganda and USAP Malawi have each selected their first cohorts of 8 students each who will be preparing to apply for 2019 admission.   USAP Uganda coordinator Becky Rwakabukoza will travel to Kenya next month to meet with admissions officers at the CIS Africa Institute being held in Nairobi. 

December was an exciting month for USAP Zambia—the students all successfully graduated from Grade 12! At one school alone, they were awarded best female athlete, boy and girl most involved in community service, best leader for boy and girl, and most generous boy. We agree that this is a fair reflection of the quality of this year’s cohort. The reality of
leaving school really sank in and a couple students took this time to reflect on the value USAP Zambia has added to their lives and the difference it has made as they prepare for their next steps. Many of them have watched top students ahead of them graduate and return home to urban slums, rural villages, and refugee camps without any opportunity for further education, and are therefore grateful to have guidance and support toward brighter futures:

“Before I joined USAP Zambia, I had no complete ideas on whether I would make a step ahead once I was done with my education. I hardly believed when people preached to me that there are universities that can help to sponsor students with a passion for school, yet who cannot pay for their university fees. Also, my humble background gave me little hope on whether I would become a successful person in life. However, when I joined USAP in my final grade, I began to view life differently. Through the motivational talks I have received during the USAP boot camp meetings, my focus on education grew bigger and [I] began to see life with a different mindset. USAP Zambia has made me acquire self-confidence and that one day I would complete my tertiary education. I am able to write strong essays, answer interview questions in a better manner, and provide help to my fellow students who never had a chance to join the organisation.” – male USAP Zambia student

“Even if one day I do not get a place in university or college through USAP, I still remain with the experience that has advanced my thinking about applications. I feel I can handle any application right now because of the confidence I have gained. I have learnt to tell my story, something that has made me view life differently. I have grown socially because of USAP.” – female USAP Zambia student

Funds donated this month ensured we could provide lunch, transport money, and Internet access for students at our final bootcamp of the year, during which students finalized the list of schools they are applying to, worked with volunteers to finish their supplemental essays, and had access to the computer lab with internet to complete all of their applications and financial aid forms. Four of them had interviews over WhatsApp and Skype with various institutions where they have advanced to the final round. After this whirlwind week, students boarded buses home and are now all over Zambia, many
assisting their parents with cultivating the fields for this year’s harvest before coming back to Lusaka in January to pursue various gap year opportunities we assisted them in securing. We think it very important that they obtain professional experience before traveling abroad for education, so that they begin to gain insights into life as a professional in their home country, which can help them plan their pathway home after university.

USAP Malawi and USAP Uganda sent out their first set of applications and are in the midst of reviewing them, interviewing students and selecting their first cohorts which will apply to start university in 2019.  As our programs work to establish themselves, build strong boards, and cultivate relationships with foundations and corporations, your individual contributions make all the difference. It has ensured we can keep our doors open as we search for sustainable funding. As always, we appreciate any ideas you might have to share. In the next few months, we will be hearing back on financial aid offers, and working to cover any gaps so that these hardworking students can accept their offers. Thank you for your contributions!