African Gems

Epena law African Gem project aims at identifying and providing scholarships to financially disadvantaged children evidencing outstanding creativity, in marginalized and displaced communities across Cameroon.

This program aims to assist children who lack the financial resources to continue their education and are at risk of dropping out.

According to statistics from UNESCO, the dropout rate among primary school children in Cameroon is over 30%. The majority of these children comes from economically disadvantaged families who struggle to afford school fees, uniforms, and supplies. Many are located in impoverished urban neighborhoods or have been displaced from their homes due to conflict, leaving them even more vulnerable.

The Epena program specifically targets children aged 7-11 years old living in these high-risk communities, who possess academic potential but do not have the financial support to nurture it. The loss of these children’s skills and abilities creates a detrimental impact on long-term economic development and social mobility.

The selection process involves administering the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking to identify the most creative, promising students in need of assistance. Creativity is considered a strong indicator of academic ability and success.

For chosen scholarship recipients, Epena provides comprehensive financial aid to cover all educational costs, including tuition, books, uniforms, and supplies. This removes the financial barriers that would have forced these disadvantaged students to drop out.

However, the program goes beyond just an initial scholarship. Epena also follows up continually with the selected students, working closely with their families, communities, and schools to monitor their ongoing progress. The goal is to provide a supportive environment where recipients can thrive throughout their academic journey.

The intended impact is twofold: firstly, to give these high-potential students the chance to fully develop their skills and talents. Secondly, to have them uplift their communities by passing on their knowledge and education. Overall, the Epena scholarship program aims to break the cycle of poverty and empower disadvantaged youth through access to quality education.