In 2016, the Beyond St Jude鈥檚 team announced a partnership with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP). The program provides fully-funded scholarships for Sub-Saharan African high school graduates who come from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds and has so far awarded 12 scholarships to St Jude鈥檚 graduates.
Suzanne, the program鈥檚 Director of Scholar Search and Selection, works with Beyond St Jude鈥檚 each year to interview prospective St Jude鈥檚 Community Service Year interns, nominated by the Beyond St Jude鈥檚 team for MCFSP scholarships.
鈥淪cholarships like those provided by Beyond St Jude鈥檚 and MCFSP are often a game-changer for students who don鈥檛 have the means to attend university,鈥� Suzanne said.
鈥淭he goals of MCFSP and St Jude鈥檚 clearly overlap 鈥� investing in, nurturing and mentoring young people who can return to their community and drive change.鈥�
鈥淲e give our first year scholars the opportunity to run a Community Action Project (CAP), which gives Scholars a chance to identify an issue in their community and come up with a creative way to address the problem. The project should directly serve a sub-set of their community.鈥�
鈥淏oth Amani and Winrose 鈥� members of St Jude's Class of 2016 and MCFSP Scholars 鈥� did CAPs in their home communities last summer with funding from us,鈥� Suzanne explained.
Meet St Jude鈥檚 prospective MCFSP Scholars for 2018! These intrepid graduates were nominated to interview for the scholarships based on their academic diligence and community spirit.
鈥淚 have been nominated to study a Bachelor of Health Service Management at the African University of Mutare in Zimbabwe. I am excited because it is a great opportunity to gain exposure, meet new people and tell them about Tanzania. I will also be able to give back to my community.鈥�
鈥淢y dream is to be successful in supporting the needy people of my community, and my own family.鈥�
鈥淚 have been put forward to study a Business degree at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi. I love diversity, I like meeting new people, learning about new cultures and through this scholarship, I will see the world from a different angle.鈥�
鈥淭he best thing about the MCFSP program, is their, 鈥済o back, give back,鈥� philosophy. This means they will support us to return to our homes and contribute through community service. This aligns with St Jude鈥檚 philosophy 鈥� it is fulfilling to work to serve others.鈥�
鈥淚 hope to be going to the University of Botswana to study a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. I want to be an accountant and auditor.鈥�
鈥淚 am so excited because I will learn about the policies of another country and I will bring skills back to Tanzania. My dream is to establish an industry that will provide employment opportunities.鈥�
鈥淚 am nominated to attend the University of Rochester in New York City, studying a Bachelor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.鈥�
鈥淚 see that this scholarship assures I will acquire the specific knowledge and necessary skills to solve challenges facing my community. My dream is to work hand in hand with the government to enlighten the communities of Tanzania. The community should look towards the light, not focus on the darkness of the night. We must look towards development.鈥�
鈥淚 have applied to study a Bachelor of Public Health. I hope to gain worldwide knowledge through going to university. I would like to have a positive impact on my country. I also hope for the chance to expand my network of friends, explore a new culture and exchange new ideas.鈥�
鈥淚n 10 years, I picture myself being a successful self-employed business woman. I want to join hands with others and work towards creating strong female leadership by supporting women in business within Africa.鈥�
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