Like the announcement of a newborn baby, graduations never get old. Every year, students from all of over the world walk across an elevated platform to receive a diploma and to shake hands with those who helped them achieve this milestone. After, excitement and relief ensues for all involved.
In July, I attended the IUGB Fifth Commencement ceremony with the added bonus of meeting two graduates who benefited from the IUGB Foundation scholarship. The two graduates and I discussed their future, their hopes and dreams. The future is bright because these students are hardworking and entrepreneurial. I was also impressed by how active they were while earning their degrees. They took on leadership roles and one was even the head of the student government.
We often ask the students how to describe the impact of the Foundation scholarship program. One answer has stood out to us. The student said please tell donors that it is not just a scholarship. They are making an investment in our future. One educated and employed youth in Cote d’Ivoire is a future contributor to the advancement to our collective global society.