Title: The EXCELLENTIA program promotes academic excellence and raises awareness about sickle cell disease
Introduction :
The EXCELLENTIA program, initiated by the “Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI” Foundation, recently brought together nearly 180 students from 20 schools in Haut-Katanga with the aim of raising their awareness of the importance of academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell anemia. This event, chaired by the First Lady, aims to give young people the opportunity to continue their university studies thanks to excellence scholarships, while raising awareness of the harms of sickle cell anemia and the importance of screening. In this article, we will present in detail the EXCELLENTIA program and its impact on education and health in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The EXCELLENTIA program: Promoting academic excellence
The EXCELLENTIA program, lasting 10 years, aims to reward students who obtain at least 85% on the state exam by offering them scholarships. It aims to select 1000 local and international winners, with 100 scholarships awarded abroad. This initiative aims to encourage academic excellence and give young people the opportunity to pursue their higher education in local establishments or abroad, thus helping them to become the elite of tomorrow.
Raising awareness about sickle cell disease: A genetic disease to combat
In addition to promoting academic excellence, the EXCELLENTIA program is also committed to the fight against sickle cell anemia, considered the first genetic disease in the world. During the event, the First Lady led an educational session to inform students about the harms of this disease and the importance of screening. She emphasized that sickle cell disease can have devastating consequences for families and society as a whole. Thus, she encouraged students to get tested in Lubumbashi hospitals which will soon provide them with screening kits.
The impact of the EXCELLENTIA program: Inspiring examples for future winners
The EXCELLENTIA program has already been in place for several years and currently has 241 scholarship holders, some of whom are continuing their studies abroad. These scholarship recipients serve as a concrete example for future laureates, thus showing the positive impact that this program can have on the lives of young Congolese. By offering education and training opportunities to talented young people, the EXCELLENTIA program contributes to the creation of a new generation of elites, who will be the development actors of tomorrow.
Conclusion :
The EXCELLENTIA program represents a laudable initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, promoting academic excellence and raising awareness about sickle cell disease. By providing scholarships to deserving students, it not only encourages the acquisition of knowledge and skills, but also contributes to the fight against a genetic disease that affects many Congolese families. Thanks to the commitment of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation and the active participation of students, the EXCELLENTIA program has the potential to transform the future of Congolese youth by promoting their education and raising awareness of important health issues.