Title: Raising awareness of academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell disease: The Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation mobilizes young people from Haut-Katanga
Introduction :
The President of the “Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI” Foundation recently brought together nearly one hundred and eighty students, coming from twenty schools in Haut-Katanga, to raise their awareness of the “EXCELLENTIA” program. This event aimed to promote academic excellence among young people and raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, the first genetic disease in the world.
An ambitious program to promote academic excellence:
The “Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI” Foundation launched the “EXCELLENTIA” program, which aims to reward academic excellence by offering scholarships to winners of the state exam who have obtained a minimum of 85%. The objective is to award 1000 local scholarships and 100 international scholarships over a period of ten years. To date, the program is in its 4th edition and already has 241 scholarship holders, 82 of whom are studying abroad.
An awareness and information lunch:
During this event, the President of the Foundation organized a lunch attended by the selected students. During this friendly moment, the students were able to learn more about the “EXCELLENTIA” program and the opportunities it offers to pursue their university studies, whether in the DRC or abroad.
Raising awareness about sickle cell disease:
In addition to promoting academic excellence, the event was also an opportunity to raise awareness among students about sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that affects many people in the DRC. The President insisted on the importance of prevention and the fight against this disease, inviting students to get tested.
Inspiring examples:
To illustrate the successes of the “EXCELLENTIA” program, some former scholarship recipients were present at the event. Their journey was highlighted to inspire future winners and encourage them to continue their efforts to achieve academic excellence.
Conclusion :
The mobilization of the “Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI” Foundation in favor of academic excellence and awareness of sickle cell disease is a laudable example. By offering scholarships to deserving students and raising their awareness of public health issues, the Foundation contributes to training the country’s future elite and improving the health of the Congolese population. A commitment that deserves to be praised and supported.