The EXCELLENTIA program and awareness of sickle cell disease: A commitment to academic excellence and the health of students in Haut Katanga
The President of the Foundation Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI recently brought together nearly one hundred and eighty students from twenty schools in Haut Katanga to present the EXCELLENTIA program to them. This initiative aims to promote academic excellence among young people while raising awareness about sickle cell anemia, the first genetic disease in the world.
The objective of this event was to raise awareness among students in the province of the EXCELLENTIA program, which rewards academic excellence by awarding scholarships to winners of the state exam who obtained a score of at least 85%. The President underlined the importance of this commitment by declaring: “This country cannot develop without you. You are the future of tomorrow and are called to be the elite of tomorrow. Obtain at least 85% to be eligible for the stock market is not rocket science. You will succeed. I believe in you.”
During this event, students also learned about sickle cell disease, a disease that destroys lives and families. The First Lady insisted on the importance of getting tested and announced that hospitals in Lubumbashi will soon make screening kits available to students. She encouraged young people to take part in the prevention and fight against this disease.
This meeting allowed students to meet some scholarship recipients from the first edition of the EXCELLENTIA program, who serve as a concrete example for future winners. Since its launch, the EXCELLENTIA program has already supported 241 scholarship holders, 82 of whom are continuing their studies abroad and 159 benefiting from local scholarships.
EXCELLENTIA is an ambitious program which aims to award 1000 local scholarships and 100 international scholarships over a period of 10 years. Thanks to this initiative, many talented young people will have the opportunity to continue their university studies, thus contributing to the development of the Congolese nation.
The Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation thus continues to mark its commitment to the education and health of young Congolese. The EXCELLENTIA program and awareness of sickle cell disease are essential initiatives to train a new generation of elites and fight against a disease that affects many families in the DRC.