Back to Index

PM hails underprivileged Zim students for earning U.S. scholarships worth $7 million
US Embassy
June 30, 2011

The United States Embassy today unveiled $7 million worth of scholarships earned by 31 disadvantaged Zimbabwean students for the coming academic year. The students, drawn from the country's 10 provinces, were praised by Prime Minister Tsvangirai for earning places at top American universities and colleges thanks to the U.S. Student Achievers Program (USAP) run by the Embassy's Public Affair Section in Harare.

Among the 2011 USAP group, three students are physically disabled, several are the heads of their households having lost both parents, and others are the offspring of street and market vendors. One scholarship recipient worked as a gold panner to pay his A level fees and another will be the first Zimbabwean student in a wheelchair to study in the United States.

"Today we celebrate the potential of education to change our nations' futures. This is a ceremony to mark the meeting of merit and opportunity, as well as the power of investing in the capacity of our youth for the future of society," said Charles Ray, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe. "And while we do this, it is also an opportunity to note the impact of positive cooperation between our two nations, Zimbabwe and the United States of America. Education is crucial to the success of both countries. As we share education resources for the benefit of our young citizens, we both grow stronger."

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was guest of honor at the event and hailed the USAP initiative while encouraging students to exhibit the true Zimbabwean spirit of hospitality and hard work.

"You must know that as your Prime Minister, I attended a humble primary school in rural Buhera and I did not have the great opportunity afforded to you today. So go and be good students, respect your hosts and work hard. Exhibit the true Zimbabwean spirit, that of hospitality and hard-work. Be vigilant," said the Prime Minister.

In his congratulatory message, Education, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart welcomed U.S. support to education in Zimbabwe. "This year's scholarship awards . . . will enable still more students to pursue their goals and career paths through higher education - something that they might not otherwise have been able to do. Indeed, this generous support is particularly welcome at a time when families are facing increased financial pressures," wrote the minister.

The U.S. Student Achievers Program (USAP) is a one-year intensive counseling program that assists academically talented but economically disadvantaged A level students to obtain full scholarships to top U.S. colleges and universities. The program helps the students research the best academic programs for their talents, prepare for standardized American university entrance exams, and write application essays.

The U.S. Student Achiever Program (USAP), established in 1999 in Zimbabwe, has been replicated by 15 other U.S. Embassies around the world, including Embassies in Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Latvia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mongolia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. Since it began in Harare, over 200 Zimbabwean students have won full scholarships covering tuition and fees, room and board, books and other expenses for four year bachelor degree studies in the U.S.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP