Grade 12 learners from Mukula Secondary, Mukula New Generation and Mukula Integrated schools, as well as the Rhema Kingdom School, were encouraged to give it their all this year in order to benefit from the Louisa Tshifaro Mugwabana Bursary Fund.
Mr Awelani Marole, a well-known businessman from Mukula village and the brain behind this bursary fund, promised to help pay for the tuition fees, textbooks and accommodation of four lucky learners who qualify for higher learning at the end of the year.
The Louisa Tshifaro Mugwabana Bursary Fund was officially launched on Thursday, 24 March at the Rhema Kingdom Life Christian Centre in Tshifulanani village, and guests included Dr Tshifhiwa Muligwe, Advocate Edward Lambani, the school principals and learners from the nominated schools in question.
Marole said he named the bursary fund after his late maternal aunt, Louisa Tshifaro Mugwabana, because it had always been very important to her that the children take their education seriously.
Marole, who is a staunch member of the Rhema Kingdom Life Christian Centre, said they nominated the three secondary schools from his home village in Mukula as beneficiaries first, but later decided to include the Rhema Kingdom School, which is based at the church's centre, so that some of the young learners who are members of the church can also benefit from the bursary fund.
"We took a look around Mukula village and found that there are some very hardworking learners here, but who come from poor backgrounds and whose parents cannot afford to pay for tertiary education. The bursary fund pays 100% for tuition, textbooks and accommodation at any university of their choice for the learners who qualify, so they are going to have to work very hard," Marole said.
He encouraged the learners to study towards scarce skills careers, in order for them to be employable after they complete their studies. Applications for the bursary fund will be available in June/July this year.