Awareness lunch for the EXCELLENTIA program with the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation: Encouraging academic excellence and raising awareness of sickle cell disease
The President of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation recently organized an awareness lunch for the EXCELLENTIA program, bringing together around one hundred and eighty students from 20 schools in Haut Katanga. This initiative aimed to promote academic excellence among young people and raise awareness about sickle cell anemia, the first genetic disease in the world.
During this event, the First Lady highlighted the importance of young people in the development of the country and encouraged them to aim for academic excellence. She recalled that obtaining at least 85% in the exams would allow students to be eligible for a scholarship, thus offering them the opportunity to continue their university studies locally or abroad.
In addition, sickle cell disease awareness was also discussed during this meeting. The President emphasized the ravages of this disease and called on students to get tested. She highlighted the key role of young people in the prevention and fight against sickle cell disease. Screening kits will soon be made available in certain hospitals in Lubumbashi to facilitate the screening of students.
To concretely illustrate the results of the EXCELLENTIA program, former scholarship recipients were invited to share their experience with future winners. To date, 241 scholars have been supported by the program, some of whom are continuing their studies abroad.
EXCELLENTIA is an ambitious 10-year program that aims to reward academic excellence by awarding scholarships to state exam winners achieving a score of at least 85%. The goal is to distribute 1000 scholarships locally and 100 scholarships internationally.
This initiative from the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation demonstrates the commitment to education and health in the Democratic Republic of Congo, by encouraging young people to excel academically and contribute to the fight against sickle cell disease.