Program: The Oatway Family Scholarship Fund
Funded By: G.R.O. Private Funding / Donors
Funding Period: Ongoing
Background: The Oatway Family Scholarship, and subsequent creation of G.R.O, was funded by Sharon Oatway and family in honour of her parents John and Alice Oatway (Canada). Honoured with numerous awards for social commitment and volunteerism across Canada, the Oatways have demonstrated a giving spirit and compassion for humanity that sparked G.R.O. as an extension of their ideals.
What is provided?
An annual Oatway Family Scholarship provides a student with full academic tuition and associated school fees, access to the school computer lab and academic tutorials. We believe success depends on more than financial support, so each scholarship also includes weekly life skills and peer support sessions conducted by a G.R.O. youth counselor. We have found that vulnerable and orphaned students, when given a forum in which to share and support, can excel academically.
What are the results?
Since 2005 twenty-seven students have been awarded full Oatway Family Scholarships with 10 successfully graduating from Grade 12 (Form E), and 17 still active in the program. Beyond even G.R.O.’s expectations the intensive and personalized support provided at graduation has seen 100% of graduates go on to further education. Graduates of the program have gone on to study teaching, nursing, science, accounting, plumbing and business. With Lesotho’s 45% unemployment rate, higher education is extremely important in securing a student?s future.
Program: The G.R.O. Lesotho Educational Advancement Program (LEAP)
Funded By: G.R.O. Private Funding / The European Union Development Fund / The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)
Funding Period: 2010/11
Background: In Lesotho; prohibitive application costs, limited access to information and inadequate opportunity mean a student’s dream of attending post-secondary education are often just that – a dream. Over the past several years we have witnessed how Oatway Family Scholars, when armed with support and information have achieved remarkable success in attending post-secondary education. With this in mind, and with the support of the Lesotho Ministry of Education and funding from various G.R.O. supporters/grants, G.R.O launched the LEAP program in 2010, seeking to extend the same support to all students in the northwest Leribe district of Lesotho.
What is provided? Open to all Grade 11 and 12 students in the Leribe district of Lesotho, LEAP provides information, support and counseling to students about post-secondary education and various career tracks. The LEAP program focuses on four access points for Grade 11 and 12 (Form D and E) students.
1. Career Fairs: In partnership with the Lesotho Ministry of Education, G.R.O. Lesotho recently hosted the first LEAP career fair (link to LEAP news story) in Leribe district. Based on the success of the event, with over 2400 students and 30 presenting organizations attending, G.R.O. will conduct career fairs in other districts on an annual basis. The program aims to provide High School graduates with information, inspiration and resources to assist them in moving forward with their careers. LEAP hopes to assist Basotho youth in pursuing higher education, strengthening Lesotho?s workforce and providing opportunities for personal growth.
2. The LEAP Resource Guide: The G.R.O. resource book is a 60-page manual containing information on career building, academic resources, skill development, and scholarship opportunities. It also compiles information from all tertiary-level institutions, including application deadlines, courses offered, and when to apply. The printed version of the books will be provided to all Leribe High Schools and made available to Form D and E students for 2010/11 academic year, and an electronic version will be made available for everyone to access.
3. The LEAP Resource Room (in development for Fall 2010): The G.R.O. resource room will be a Hlotse- based resource area open to all Leribe Form D and E students based at the G.R.O. offices. The resource room will be staffed by a career counselor and will make photocopying, internet and computer access available to students for academic purposes at a discounted rate.
4. School Outreach Program: In order to ensure that students in the mountainous regions of the district benefit from the LEAP program, the LEAP Coordinator will visit all 33 schools annual and provide on-site career guidance and support. Teachers and principals will also benefit from the ‘training of trainers’ program facilitated by the LEAP Coordinator.
What are the results? Having just started the program we have been pleased with early results. Over 2400 students attended the first LEAP career fair, and with the support of The Lesotho Ministry of Education, we are looking forward to rolling-out the resource guide and opening the Leribe LEAP resource room. Students who have received LEAP resources thus far have reported finding it extremely useful in planning for the next stages of their academic and personal growth.
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The Oatway Family Scholarship, and subsequent creation of G.R.O, was funded by Sharon Oatway and family in honour of her parents John and Alice Oatway (Canada). Honoured with numerous awards for social commitment and volunteerism across Canada, the Oatways have demonstrated a giving spirit and compassion for humanity that sparked G.R.O. as an extension of their ideals. Read More »
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