The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a leadership development program that provides university scholarships and leadership development and life skills training to academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African girls. The program aims to develop a pipeline of young African women leaders, with the belief that a world-class education and the right character development will empower these young women to make significant, positive impacts in their communities.
About Zawadi Africa Education Fund:
- Founded in 2002 by Dr. Susan Mboya, the Zawadi Africa Education Fund is based on the highly successful Kennedy-Mboya Africa Student Airlifts Program.
- The program focuses on providing university scholarships and leadership development and life skills training to academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African girls.
- The objective is to develop a pipeline of young African women leaders who can return to their home countries empowered and equipped with the skills needed to make significant, positive impacts in their communities.
Undergraduate Scholarship:
- Requirements for Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification:
- A girl who has completed her secondary school examination, such as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE).
- Has demonstrated academic excellence (A Plain or A Minus).
- Has demonstrated leadership qualities, such as in school as a prefect, in the community, church, leadership in peer-related activities, etc.
- Has overcome insurmountable odds such as serious financial challenges, oppressive social-cultural practices such as early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), etc., in order to attain academic excellence.
- Comes from a financially disadvantaged background.
- Has demonstrated clear financial need.
- Selection Criteria: Includes excellent academics, extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, and financial need.
- Selection Process: The admission decision is entirely dependent on the Universities’ Admission Boards. Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview a month after the deadline of this application.
Application Deadline: April 5, 2024
How to Apply:
- Application for this year is now open. Deadline for Kenya is April 5th, 2024.
- Ensure that you download and complete every part of the application form. Your application will only be considered if it is completely filled.
- Attach a one-page biography and a passport photo. The biography should be typed and highlight your family and educational background, your aspirations, financial status, as well as hobbies and activities that you have undertaken while in school and in your community.
- Attach a 500-650 word essay on ONLY ONE of three topics listed on page seven.
- Attach a copy of your high school leaving certificate and K.C.S.E result slip as well as copies of high school certificates that show your involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership-related initiatives.
- Attach a signed recommendation letter from your class teacher or head teacher.
- Attach a copy of your birth certificate and your National Identity Card (if you have one).
- Attach a letter from your local chief confirming his knowledge of your family and yourself. The letter should preferably be written on a government letterhead document.
- Any false statements, omissions, or forged documents will lead to automatic disqualification.
- Submit a Hard Copy of this application form and the required supporting documents on or before the deadline (5th April, 2024) to the designated offices written in the application forms.
For more details, visit Zawadi Africa Education Fund website.
