Christopher Dowswell Scholarship Fund

As in previous updates, we are pleased to report that not a single student has dropped out of the program. This includes our five new scholars at Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania. During the first half of this year, we have received more than $40,000 in new gifts, which may allow us to reach our target of 100 scholars before the end of this calendar year.

To further determine the strength of the extension department at the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC) in the Republic of Benin, a senior delegation of Sasakawa Africa Foundation visited Benin in April.  Dr. Simplice Vodouhe gave an update about the SAFE program at UAC. This program, which began in 2003, gives degree opportunities to mid-career agricultural extension staff who have demonstrated good extension skills while posted in the field. The training lasts three years and leads to B.Sc. Degree in Agricultural Extension.

Four years ago, a Distance Learning version of the program was established. It targets extension workers, especially women, who cannot afford to be away from their jobs for three consecutive years. Presently, 73 mid-career staff (21 females and 52 males) are benefiting from this program. There is a pool of more than 1,000 candidates who can enroll in this version of the SAFE program. This proportion of female students (29 percent) in the Distant Learning Program is significantly higher than the overall average female enrollment at SAFE partner universities (only 20 percent), and is increasing.

With your continuing support, you can help us to reach our goals.