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Jeramiah Scholarship Program

Overcoming Poverty with Education to Empower the Next Generation of Africa

 

Education In Africa

 

For the 315 million Africans living in poverty, an education is their only means to a better future. Unfortunately for most this is a dream that is out of reach.

In most African countries, all aspects of an education are not free, even at the primary level. This means that families are responsible to fund the entirety of each child’s education from kindergarten and beyond. This is not limited to tuition but also includes uniforms, text books and supplies, annual exam fees and transportation.

Education costs are simply too high for families living hand to mouth who struggle to scrounge for other basic survival needs. With the AIDS epidemic on the rise, household budgets are stretched beyond their capacity to compensate for the loss of income due to the caregiver’s illness and/or death, medical bills, funeral costs and in many cases, the added cost of careing for extended family or orphaned children. Attending school is simply out of the question. Girls are even more vulnerable as they are often viewed as unfit for unworthy of the investment of education because of their assumed roles in the household.

 

Jeramiah Scholarships

 

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord... Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE"  -Jeremiah 29:11

 

The Jeremiah Scholarship Program (JSP), provides scholarships for children and young adults to attend formal school (primary or secondary), training colleges and vocational programs. Seeds for Hope not only sponsors tuition and exam fees but also steps in to cover the costs of uniforms, books and school supplies and remedial tutoring for these young people to ensure that their ability to thrive and succeed would not be hindered because of their inability to have the tools they needed.

WHY EDUCATION? Seeds For Hope recognizes education to be arguably the most valuable tool in economic development used to break the cycle of poverty and in many cases, to preserve life! It is proven economically to be the gatekeeper out of a life of poverty. We believe an education is the right of even the poorest children. Therefore, it is our programmatic priority to make sure that children and youth can receive an education and succeed in their studies.

 

 

Why Educate?

 

Great question.  Here are our reasons:

 

  • Enrollment in school is proven to decrease opportunities for child trafficking, labor-related exploitation and abuse.
  • For girls, who are statistically more vulnerable to violence, HIV and exploitation, an education preserves their livelihood.
  • Economic research affirms that just one year of additional education increases an individual’s productive output by up to 7%. Countries that improve illiteracy rates by 20-30 percent have seen increases in gross domestic product of 8-16%
  • A report by the Basic Education Coalition plainly asserts, “Educated people live longer,” citing multi-country research that child education is related to lower death rates and an increase in life expectancy of 10.8 when connected with a 10 percent increase school enrollment.
  • Develops thinking and analytical skills and open’s their minds to understand the world outside their community. Build’s a child’s confidence and self-esteem
  • Prevents idleness that translates directly into reduced teen-pregnancies, child prostitution, criminal activity drug abuse and sexual abuse.
  • Prevents the spread of HIV/AIDS by equipping young people with the greatest weapon: information
  • Provides the knowledge and skills to live healthier lives through better sanitation and health practices. It Lowers death rates and an increases life expectancy by as much as 10 years, particularly in girls.
  • Restores hope and allows them to dream for something better.


The list can continue. Through the Jeremiah Scholarship Program, we are empowering the most vulnerable among the next generation of Africa.