Houston Scholarship Fund 2026

Maurine is chasing the sky.

17 years old, Maurine an orphan. She lost her mother to cancer and her father in a motor accident. Today, she lives with her uncle, a security guard at a local hospital, her aunt who sells bananas in the market, and their three children. Seven people share one small home, but Maurine carries a dream bigger than all of them: to become a Pilot.

Because her home is far from good schools, Maurine joined Maruvango Secondary School in Arumeru, Arusha as a boarding student in January 2022. She refused to let hardship define her. For four years she excelled. She maintained an ‘A’ average and consistently ranked 1st or 2nd in a class of 89 students. In November 2025 she sat for her Form IV National Examinations. When results were released in January 2026, the nation saw what we already knew. Maurine scored Division I with 13 points and an ‘A’ in Mathematics. Her hard work opened the next door.

This July 2026, Maurine was selected to join Lugoba High School in Pwani Region to study PGM - Physics, Geography, & Mathematics. It is the exact path she needs to pursue aviation. With support from Jifundishe, we provided her with all her school needs. Her dream of becoming a pilot is no longer just a dream. It is a flight plan, and we are walking with her every step of the way. Maurine is not alone.

We are also proud to support five other 2025 graduates who scored Division I. Four are studying PCB – Physics, Chemistry & Biology and one is studying HGE - History, Geography & Economics. All of them are now in school, building their futures.

To every supporter: thank you. Because of you, orphans like Maurine are turning pain into purpose, and potential into progress.

‘’Determination Meets Support’’

Debora’s story begins in the rolling hills of Meru district, nestled in Tanzania’s Arusha region. The youngest of six siblings, she grew up in a humble household where her parents relied on small-scale farming to sustain the family. None of her brothers or sisters had the chance to pursue education beyond secondary school, but Debora’s determination set her apart from the very beginning.

In 2015, she enrolled at Imbaseni Primary School, a local government school. For seven years, she poured her energy into her studies, driven by an unshakable dream of building a brighter future. When she completed Standard Seven in 2021, her hard work paid off—Debora earned a rare Grade A, the only student among 120 to achieve such a distinction. Her achievement caught the attention of Jifundishe, an organization dedicated to supporting talented students from low-income families. After rigorous interviews and assessments, they chose to sponsor Debora’s education.

This opportunity transformed her life. In 2022, Debora joined SEGA Secondary School, a private girls’ boarding school in Morogoro. There, she thrived. Her ambition and discipline propelled her to the top of her class, consistently ranking first or second. By October 2025, she completed Form IV with an extraordinary Division I score of ten points, earning straight A’s across all subjects. It was a moment of triumph—not only for Debora but for her family and the community that had supported her journey.

Now, at 18, Debora waits eagerly to begin high school in July 2026, where she plans to study Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Her dream is bold: to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Aircraft Engineering or Piloting, breaking barriers and reaching for the skies.

Reflecting on her journey, Debora acknowledges the pivotal role of Jifundishe. “Studying in a private boarding school was a big chance for me. I used it to the fullest to reach my dream. May this support continue to other girls in need, so they too can realize their full potential.”