Everything Changed with the Pandemic
Inspiring stories from two Mastercard Foundation scholarship recipients about overcoming challenges and striving for a better future.
Meet Ziada Nirere, an Information Systems student at Davis College and Akilah from the Class of 2021. The last born of three children, Ziada was raised by a single mother, who struggled to earn enough to support the family through various agricultural activities.
“I always wanted to make her proud of me so when I heard about Davis College and Akilah, I felt like it was a great opportunity that I should grab and use it to reach my goals,” Ziada explained.
Everything changed when the pandemic started. Ziada’s mom lost work and could no longer afford to pay her school fees. Disappointed and about to drop out, Ziada learned that she would receive a Mastercard Foundation scholarship.
“I really can’t explain what getting this opportunity means to me, but I want everyone to know that I appreciate it. I really feel grateful,” Ziada said.
Zaida will graduate later this year and credits her personal development and growth as an IT professional to Akilah and Mastercard Foundation.
Globally, women like Zaida still comprise only a fraction of those involved in the IT sector. “This digital gender divide is not only unfair, it is also detrimental for women’s livelihoods and future work,” said Karen Sherman, Akilah’s president. Akilah, which was founded in 2010 to address the dearth of higher education opportunities for young women in Rwanda, set out to change that.
In 2013, when technology was widely considered a male domain, Akilah launched its accredited Information Systems diploma program. A total of eight brave young women joined the first campus-based program. Today, 99 young women are enrolled in the program, an increase of more than 1000 percent.
In 2020, Davis College and Akilah announced a new partnership with the Mastercard Foundation as part of its COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program. Mastercard Foundation’s support has enabled the college to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and minimize the disruption in education for students like Zaida.
Beata Ufitinema, another Information Systems student from the class of 2021, was faced with a similar situation to Zaida. Raised by an aunt when her father and older brother passed away and her mother was unable to find a job, Beata was doing okay until her aunt got sick.
“We were worried sick thinking where we would find the money because my aunt was no longer able to pay my school fees due to her sickness,” Beata said. “But God had a plan, though it was not easy, there was a way. I am so thankful to God’s miracle as well as Akilah because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have this scholarship.”
Beata considers it a blessing to be a Mastercard Foundation scholarship recipient. She and more than 400 other students who lost their Income Share Agreements (ISAs) due to the pandemic received full and partial scholarships to resume their studies. This support has enabled them to continue learning despite the difficult circumstances.
Beata is now on track to graduate and hopes to continue to study for a bachelor’s degree and become a web developer.
“I believe that I will reach these goals because of all the skills I am learning at Akilah,” said Beata. “I’m not just learning courses but also gaining the soft skills that will help me along the way.”
In 2020, Davis College was launched to expand Akilah’s higher education model to young men and women across East Africa. Together, Davis and Akilah are equipping students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to assume their role as future leaders.
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About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. Mastercard created the Foundation in 2006 as an independent organization with its Board of Directors and management.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.mastercardfdn.org.
About the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program
The Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program has two main goals. First, to deliver emergency support for health workers, first responders, and students. Second, to strengthen the diverse institutions that are the first line of defense against the social and economic aftermath of this disease. These include universities, financial service providers, businesses, technology start-ups, incubators, government agencies, youth organizations, and non-governmental organizations. Click here for more on the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program or follow the Foundation on Twitter.