The Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation puts the spotlight on academic excellence
The President of the Foundation Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI recently brought together nearly one hundred and eighty students from twenty schools in Haut Katanga during a lunch organized at the Pullman Hotel Lubumbashi. This day aimed to raise students’ awareness of the EXCELLENTIA program, launched by the Foundation, which promotes academic excellence among young people.
During this event, the First Lady encouraged students to strive for academic excellence and obtain results of at least 85% to be eligible for a scholarship. She highlighted the importance of their role in the development of the country and assured them that this scholarship would provide them with opportunities to pursue their studies at university, both domestically and abroad.
However, the day was not limited to promoting academic excellence. The President of the Foundation also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about sickle cell disease, the world’s leading genetic disease. A doctor intervened during this day to explain to the students the harmful effects of the disease and encouraged them to get tested.
Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI emphasized that sickle cell disease affects not only individuals, but also families and society as a whole. She encouraged students to take charge of their health by getting tested, and announced that screening kits would soon be made available to them in certain hospitals in Lubumbashi.
This event also highlighted the success of the scholarship holders of the first edition of the EXCELLENTIA program, who serve as an example for future winners. The program, which aims to provide scholarships to students who obtain at least 85% on the state exam, already has 241 scholarship recipients, some of whom are continuing their studies abroad.
The Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation thus continues its commitment to education and health by highlighting academic excellence and raising awareness of sickle cell disease among young people. Thanks to initiatives such as the EXCELLENTIA program, it contributes to training an educational elite who will be the actors of development and change in Congolese society.