Achieving dreams: the story of a Vodafone scholar

Mavis Narkie Kwao, a beneficiary of Vodafone Foundation’s Scholars initiative, is beside herself with immense joy following the realization of her dream of becoming the first in her family to access university education.
 
Mavis, who looks forward to becoming a Professor to help under-privileged girls in society, is one of many students from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) that have benefited from the Foundation’s Scholarship initiative.
 
Mavis, a level 300 student studying for a degree in Biology at UEW, is highly elated with her present fortune and has shown enormous gratitude to the Vodafone Ghana Foundation.
 
She recounts growing up in a suburb of Ashaiman, with a myriad of limitations that blighted her aspirations until the much needed breakthrough materialized.
 
Commenting on the development, Mavis said:
 
“Indeed the scholarship has given me hope and increased my confidence, knowing that I was listed among the brilliant students. It has also saved my family from the struggle of paying tuition fees. The peace and assurance of knowing that my fees are settled and that someone made an effort to ease my burden is enough reason to want to learn extra hard to succeed. I will forever be grateful to Vodafone Ghana Foundation, British Council and the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate of UEW for their selfless vision that has given birth to a transformational product like me.”
 
The Vodafone Foundation Scholarship scheme seeks to increase women’s engagement in Science and Technology in Ghana. The project provides technical and financial support to young girls at the secondary school level.
 
Corporate Relations Manager at Vodafone Ghana, Ebenezer Amankwah said:
“When we see the change our direct interventions are having on society, it gives us the much needed impetus and drive to continue without resting on our laurels. Vodafone Scholars is surely a key area in our quest to transform lives in the country.”
 
The scheme, which is in its second year, has so far supported 200 Senior High School students and 20 UEW female students studying STEM related subjects.