EDUCATIONAL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
The AACDP seeks educational sponsorship for young Africans, from both Zambia and Ghana. The parents or guardians of the Zambian students are Zambezi doll makers, farmers, or artisans we have worked with, so we have a close connection to their families. The Ghanaian students are brought to our attention by a Ghanaian woman who is committed to helping deserving students in her town continue their schooling.
All the students are from impoverished families, but despite their difficult circumstances, they are all determined to further their educations.
Rosemary is the daughter of Foster, the artist who is actually responsible for the birth of the AACDP. On my first trip to Africa I met Foster at a craft market, and he asked me if I would sell his work in the U.S. I said yes, and that led to my relationship with the Mama Bakhita.
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Rosemary writes: I have lived in Mukuni Village, 7 miles south of Livingstone, all my life. We are a family of two parents and seven children. Three of them my father adopted, because his brother died of HIV in 2004. Our village is very poor and it is hard to get money to attend college after high school. My father is a wood carver and sells his carvings at the craft market, but he cannot earn enough for school.
I hope to work as a public health nurse at a public health facility for my community, so that people can receive the primary health care that they need. I would like to see clubs for adolescents formed for this community, especially for young girls, to help them lead healthy lives.
NAME: Rosemary
AGE: 20
SCHOOL: Mukuni Nursing Trust Institute
COURSE: Diploma in Nursing
DURATION OF COURSE: 6 semesters (2 completed, 4 remaining)
TUITON: $450/semester
ACCOMMODATIONS: $125/semester
TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, BOOKS: $375/semester
TOTAL: $1,075/semester
Foster & Rosemary
Many years ago, a friend from Martha's Vineyard introduced me to Serwaa, a talented seamstress from Ghana. I purchased many of the beautiful aprons, bags and purses she created, not only because I loved her work, but also because she and her husband are committed to sending Ghanaian children from poor families to school, using a portion of their small earnings. When she meets a young person who is especially gifted, or especially needy, she refers them to me. Often, the AACDP has been able to support their ambitions for education.
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Deborah is one such student from Ghana. She wants to become a nurse, so her uncle, who knew of Serwaa's benevolence, approached her for financial help. Serwaa refered them to the AACDP. We have sponsored Deborah's first year at nursing school, and are looking for a sponsor to help her complete the remaining two years so she can receive her diploma. Her grades from her first year were excellent; she has chosen a field she loves, and in which she can excel.
NAME: Deborah
AGE: 32
SCHOOL: KAAF University College, School of Nursing
COURSE: Diploma in Public Health Nursing
DURATION OF COURSE: 6 semesters (2 completed, 4 remaining)
TUITION: $450/semester
ACCOMMODATIONS: $120/semester
TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, BOOKS: $175/semester
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TOTAL: $745 per semester
Emelia is also from Ghana. When she was still in high school, her mother, a single parent, passed away, leaving her children with no way to sustain themselves. Her oldest brother was halfway through college, and was desperate to find a way to keep himself, Emelia, and their other brother in school, knowing that their lives would not improve otherwise. In his internet search to find a way to finish his degree, he found the AACDP on facebook, and wrote to me about his family's plight. I asked Serwaa to meet them and evaluate the situation. Based on her report, the AACDP raised funds to keep all three children in school.
Always an excellent student, Emelia went on to earn a college degree and has now enrolled in a masters program. She believes that she will be able to use the knowledge acquired to make a positive impact on her community, and that the degree will guarantee her a well paying job.
NAME: Emelia
AGE: 20
SCHOOL: University of Health and Allied Sciences
COURSE: Masters degree in Public Health
DURATION OF COURSE: 4 semesters
TUITION: $650/semester
ACCOMMODATIONS: $140/semester
TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, BOOKS: $320/semester
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TOTAL: $1,110 per semester
Below is a bit of our sponsorship history, with a story of one of the first students who found sponsors through the AACDP.
Lillian, Livingstone High School, Zambia, grade 11
The AACDP began supporting young people that we knew through the Mama Bakhita Cheshire Home network very early in our existence. Much of the money raised for this purpose was through the sale of African crafts at sales at flea markets during the summer and through Italian tours which I began to lead in 2013. When the pandemic halted both of these income sources I decided to send out a letter to all our friends and contributors with descriptions of our scholarship students and the costs to cover their tuitions and expenses.
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By American standards, tuitions in Zambia are very reasonable. High school costs from $80 a semester to $150. Though it is supposed to be guaranteed by the government, there is no free public education. Economic crisis has meant little or no funds for public schools. In practice, children are "chased away" if they cannot pay. Higher learning varies from $850 to $1,800 per year, often with additional costs for computers and living expenses.
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The response to our call for help with sending children of families within the Mama Bakhita Cheshire Home and Zambezi Doll Company community has been encouraging.
Busiku and her daughter
Busiku and her daughter have lead a very difficult life, moving often in an attempt to find work. When I met her, she was working as an assistant at a small school, earning $70 per month, and supporting her parents and siblings at the same time. Her dream was to go to school and become a physiotherapist. I sent out a newsletter looking for sponsors for Busiku and five other deserving young people who had never had money for consistent attendance at school. Busiku found financial help from a generous couple from Massachusetts, and began the considerable task of catching up scholastically.
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It was a struggle to do the work after a lifetime of spotty education, but Busiku worked hard and completed vocational training at Evelyn Hone College. She went on to Lusaka University and earned a degree in physiotherapy.