Scholarship Fund for Students in South Africa

Hi [Open Doors], I hope this email finds you well.

I passed my first semester, I did well in all modules. I passed my tests and assignments. University life has started very well for me, I am engaged in my studies and I am enjoying the social life.

I have started with second semester and I am looking forward to working hard and improving.

I will keep on giving you updates on how I am doing.

Thanks,

Yolanda

The letter you just read is from Yolanda, an Open Doors scholar who is studying Biotechnology at University of the Western Cape in South Africa.  Like the other 13 students who have received financial assistance from Open Doors Foundation (ODF), Yolanda writes periodically to let us know how she is doing.  Today, we want to share snippets of some of these recent updates from our scholars.  When we read these updates, not only do we get encouraged by how well the students are doing, but we also feel grateful for your generosity, which has made all of this happen.

As we head into a new school year, ODF is thinking of next year’s scholarship application and leadership transition.  We will be sure to keep you abreast with these developments.  In the meantime, please consider to continue your support for our cause, and give financial contributions to help send South African high schoolers to post-secondary education.

Yours at ODF

Hi [ODF] I’m doing very well at the university, as last year I passed my second year, so this year I’m on my third year in Social work. Life in general I’m getting there, plans for my future are that I want to finish my honours and work after that.

– Adonisi

I am not studying at the moment , but I have applied for next I have been accepted.
My life in general is good and I’m volunteering at Ikamva Youth while I’m looking for job.
My future plan is to get to university and study hard so that I can graduate. I am going to study Geography and Environmental study at the University of the Western Cape. I’m looking forward to it because I really love Geography and the course sounds Exciting.

– Phumza**

** Phumza is not currently receiving financial aid from Open Doors as she hasn’t begun her post-secondary education; her scholarship awaits her as she starts her study at the University of the Western Cape

In first semester, I took 5 courses (3 over whole year)…  I like learning about insurance, pricing some insurance products.  Quite interesting.  For stats, I enjoyed Probability theory and statistical inference in
first semester, now learning regression analysis which is quite practical so learning how to analyse data better and more practically.... Enjoying that! …  I would still continue with Actuarial Science.

– Antonio

Dear Open Doors Supporter,

Almost 5 years ago to the day, I was about to board a plane in Boston to fly to South Africa where I would be spending the summer volunteering with an organization called WorldTeach. It was my first stint abroad on my own and I was both very excited and a little nervous about what was in store. Little did I know that those upcoming months would serve as one of the most transformative summers of my life.

While teaching in the impoverished communities of Masiphumelele and Ocean View that summer, I not only met other volunteers who are now my lifelong friends but I also got to work with talented students and discuss their career hopes and dreams. Through conversations with these students, it became apparent that their limited finances posed a significant hurdle to their wish to further their education beyond secondary school. It was result of these conversations that the Open Doors Foundation was eventually born.

5 years later, I am excited to report that I will be heading back to Cape Town, South Africa once again. I have been working for the last several months in the nearby country of Lesotho with a global health organization. While my work here in Lesotho has had a different focus than my WorldTeach experience, there is one wonderful similarity: getting to meet inspiring individuals who are dedicated and eager to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of those around them.

My upcoming trip to Cape Town will be a whirlwind 3-day visit and I am excited for all that is in store! I am planning to meet with some of our Open Doors scholars to check in, hear about their experiences at university, and discuss if there are additional ways in which Open Doors can further support them. I also can't wait to meet with Open Doors' local partners on the ground and say a big thank you. These partners have been vital in identifying promising students and facilitating the scholarship application process. Last, but certainly not least, the new batch of WorldTeach volunteers will have just arrived in South Africa and I am excited to meet them, share stories from my own WorldTeach experience, and introduce them to Open Doors and ways in which they can get involved. 

As my trip draws closer, I have spent much time reminiscing about my first visit to South Africa back in 2009. With your loyal support, it is really incredible to think about how much we have accomplished together in the years since then. Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to support 15 impressive South African students in their pursuit of a tertiary education. It is a phenomenal achievement and we cannot thank you enough!

Sincerely,

Gita