The Scholarship Fund

Our scholarship fund enables all children graduating from our primary school (completing Grade 4) to go on to good government-run secondary schools. The most academically talented sit exams and if successful, attend the best private secondary schools in Addis Ababa. Some continue on to University, as part of our scholarship program.

After 8th grade some children choose to learn a trade skill and are sent by us to the best local vocational training programmes.

A mentoring programme is a critical part of the scholarship programme. Each child is monitored by a teacher, who checks their academic progress on a weekly basis. A social worker/psychologist meets with each child once a month, providing mentoring, career advice, emotional support, and ideally a broader vision for his or her life. Local business people give motivational talks to the children, and volunteers work with them over the holidays, providing extra help with schoolwork, and companionship.

The scholarship fund is a critical motivator for the children we work with and the local community – the children demonstrate to those around them that if they work hard, they can achieve great things.

Two children we’ve sponsored are now graduating from the top private high school in Addis and will go on to study medicine at a national university.