Chinese Embassy, Imbuto Foundation mark decade of supporting vulnerable students

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China marked 10 years of providing scholarships to support well-performing students from unprivileged backgrounds, through Imbuto Foundation's Edified Generation Programme. On October 18, they visited Nyamata TVET School in Bugesera District, one of the beneficiaries of the scholarships. The Chinese delegation led by Lin Hang, Deputy Head of Mission at the embassy, and Jackson Vugayabagabo, Director-General of the Imbuto Foundation,was intended to acknowledge their long-standing partnership and celebrate the impact of the scholarship programme on Rwandan students. ALSO READ: Chinese embassy boosts Imbuto’s ‘Edified Generation’ with Rwf30m The Edified Generation Scholarship, initiated in 2002, aims to financially support well-performing secondary students from disadvantaged families. The scholarship provides an annual stipend of up to $400 to help cover living expenses, health insurance, and school supplies. In addition, the programme organizes a holiday camp each year to impart important life skills and offer career and professional advice to the participating students. Since its inception, it has achieved milestones, including awarding scholarships to over 10,641 students, while 13 annual holiday camps have been conducted. Furthermore, 46 female students have received university scholarships, and an alumni group has been established to connect and support the scholars. ALSO READ: First Lady urges Imbuto scholars to defy odds with excellence The partnership between the Chinese Embassy and Imbuto Foundation began in 2013, focusing on supporting well-performing students to complete their secondary education. To date, the collaboration has helped a total of 531 students, with 386 of them having successfully graduated and 145 currently receiving support. During the visit, Theophile Uwiragiye, an alumni, noted how the Edified Generation Scholarship enabled him to complete his education and become a teacher at a TVET school in Nyagatare. Uwiragiye also spoke of helping other people as a means to giving back to the community. For instance, he currently pays school tuition fees for another deserving youngster, inspired by the kindness he received. The kindness I received ignited a desire within me to be a source of hope for others, he stated. Dr. Eric Mugabo, another beneficiary of the programme who works as a doctor at Bugesera District Hospital, expressed his gratitude for the scholarship's transformative impact on his life. He credited the programme for shaping his career and instilling in him a sense of responsibility to serve the community. Lin Hang, Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese Embassy, emphasized China's commitment to supporting noble causes such as education through the Edified Generation Scholarship. She encouraged the students to dream big and assured them of continuing support whenever possible. Education plays a vital role in the prosperity of a nation, she affirmed. Jackson Vugayabagabo, the Director-General of Imbuto Foundation, highlighted the foundation's mission of nurturing young people to grow into exceptional individuals. He explained that the word imbuto in Kinyarwanda means seed, symbolizing their dedication to providing comprehensive support and fostering holistic development. Going forward, Imbuto Foundation recommitted to continue supporting well-performing students who lack financial means to attend boarding schools, by paying for their living costs in boarding schools and empowering them through annual holiday camps.

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Chinese Embassy, Imbuto Foundation mark decade of supporting vulnerable students