In March 2024, the quiet hills of Karongi District buzzed with renewed hope and energy as Refugee Youth Change Makers (RYCM) brought together dozens of young people for a transformative event in Kiziba Refugee Camp. With banners fluttering and notebooks in hand, refugee youth gathered for one purpose: to explore the future-changing possibilities of accessing scholarship opportunities.
The event, titled “Raising Awareness of Scholarship Opportunities for Refugees in Rwanda,” was a three-day educational and empowerment workshop organized under the DREEM project, a collaboration between the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Mastercard Foundation. At the heart of this initiative was Solange Ingabire, a Congolese refugee, Mastercard Foundation Scholar, and student at Earth University, whose personal journey from camp to classroom inspired her to empower others.
The camp is home to thousands of refugees, many of whom are eager to study and shape their future but are held back by a lack of resources, information, and guidance. According to UNHCR, only about 3% of refugees globally make it to tertiary education — a gap this event sought to help close.
The first day focused on introducing fully funded scholarship programs that are accessible to refugees. Participants learned about opportunities at institutions such as Ashesi University, Earth University, United States International University-Africa, York University (Canada), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, African Leadership University (ALU), Yesbud University (Zambia), and the DAFI Program. Facilitators explained the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and step-by-step procedures for each scholarship, providing critical links and templates for attendees to refer to later.
Young people who had once thought studying abroad or even attending university was a distant dream were awakened to a new reality: with guidance and the right information, higher education is not just possible — it’s attainable.
Day two delved deeper into the application process. Through hands-on workshops, participants were taken through every element of a strong scholarship application — from writing compelling personal essays to building CVs and preparing for interviews. The energy in the room was palpable as participants engaged in mock interviews and peer-review exercises, eagerly offering feedback and encouragement to one another.
These sessions were not only educational but transformative. Many young refugees were participating in this type of structured mentorship and learning for the first time. It was clear that, beyond information, the event was fostering confidence, community, and clarity of purpose.
The final day brought a powerful emotional shift. A panel of current scholars and alumni shared their experiences — from applying and being selected to adjusting to university life and the responsibility of representing their communities. These stories weren’t just inspiring; they were affirmations that it was possible to rise beyond borders and circumstances.
The session also explored the importance of giving back. Whether through mentoring others, returning to serve in refugee communities, or contributing to leadership and advocacy efforts, attendees were reminded that education is not just a personal victory — it’s a tool to uplift entire communities.
To close the day, participants practiced answering real essay prompts used in applications for institutions like USIU-Africa, the University of Rwanda, and Ashesi University. Many left the venue having written their very first draft — a critical step on the journey to their dreams.
The event attracted 91 youth participants, nearly evenly split between male and female attendees. Facilitators, most of whom were former or current scholars, reported an exceptionally high level of engagement. The feedback collected reflected overwhelming gratitude, with many participants requesting follow-up sessions and mentorship.
This initiative is a direct response to the barriers that refugee youth face — not only the lack of funding but the lack of access to information, mentorship, and tools that can unlock global educational opportunities. With the strong backing of the Mastercard Foundation and WUSC’s DREEM project, RYCM is committed to continuing this work, expanding to more camps and possibly adapting the model for urban refugee communities.
This event has been found to be so valuable to the attendees and so far some of them have been awarded scholarships to study at different universities. Please a story of one of them who got admitted at University of Rwanda under a fully funded scholarship by the Mastercard Foundation. Read Justin Kayiranga’s story.
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