Imbuto Foundation signs Partnership Agreement with Embassy of China in Rwanda

Yesterday, Imbuto Foundation and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Rwanda have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly support Rwandan youth to pursue their secondary school studies. It was signed at Imbuto Foundation offices by His Excellency Mr. Shen Yongxiang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China and Mrs. Radegonde Ndejuru, Director General of Imbuto Foundation.

This Memorandum of Understanding formalizes a partnership agreement in which the Embassy of China will provide scholarship support in the amount of thirty two thousand and four hundred U.S. dollars ($32,400 USD) to benefit 108 disadvantaged students over the year 2014. The funds will be channeled through the China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action launched by the People’s Republic of China to promote cooperation and exchanges between non-governmental organizations, women and youth from China and Africa.

Launched in 2003, Imbuto Foundation’s Scholarship Project provides financial support to youth with high academic potential who fail to pursue secondary school education due to the lack of financial means. This initiative supports at any one time an average of 1,000 beneficiaries with school fees, health insurance, uniforms and scholastic material. An estimated 5,862 scholarships have been awarded since 2005. Sponsors range from banks and private sector companies to individuals, NGOs and now, partner countries.

The Scholarship Project is in line with Imbuto Foundation’s vision of a society with a prosperous, educated and healthy population, which echoes the country’s long-term development aspirations in Vision 2020. The project selects within a pool comprised of poor students enrolled in public schools who obtain an average of at least 70% in their grades, with boys and girls having an equal chance of being selected. The project has a side component, focusing on the reintegration of a small group of adolescent girls and young women who have dropped out of school and wish to resume their secondary level education.