ACT is pleased to announce that Mgala Jackson and Justina Mgayi, pictured above, have been selected as the first beneficiary of the Martin Phillips Girls University Scholarship Fund.
The two young Tanzanian women were selected from a number of other candidates that were considered for the scholarship. In addition to meeting the primary criteria of being female and studying for a university degree, they also had outstanding results in the 2020 Form 6 Tanzania Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE), which is used for university admission in Tanzania. This is in spite of school closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and the challenges of studying in difficult circumstances at home.
Both girls are from Chato district in Geita region in northern Tanzania. They were in the same year group at Chato Secondary School, which they both attended and completed 6th form. Interestingly, they were both selected to study at Dodoma University in Dodoma the political capital of Tanzania. But there the similarity ends. Mgala, 21, is studying Chemistry and dreams of becoming a Chemistry teacher. Justina, 20, is studying Geography and Environmental Studies and wants to be a demographer after her studies.
Orphaned from early age, ACT has supported both girls since childhood. They will act as mentors for girls in their community from similar background and inspire them to pursue dreams of higher education, and hope that they can contribute to development of their nation.
Martin Phillips, a long-time supporter of ACT, established the Fund to encourage girls from poor and disadvantaged households in any of the 8 African countries where ACT works. Martin believes that helping just a few girls to go to university will encourage many more to follow.
Thanks to his generosity, Mgala and Justina, are able to afford the cost of their 4-year university degree course.
Martin welcomes the support of like-minded people who would like to give opportunity to girls from disadvantaged homes in Africa, to study at university and make their dreams come true. Please join Martin on this journey and donate to the Martin Phillips Girls University Fund today, click here.
Thank you.