Title: “The EXCELLENTIA program: support for academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell disease”
Introduction :
In Haut Katanga, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the EXCELLENTIA program of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation is making waves. This program aims to promote academic excellence among young people and raise awareness of sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that affects many people around the world. In this article, we will discover the objectives and impact of this program, as well as the issues related to academic excellence and the fight against sickle cell disease.
Support for academic excellence:
The EXCELLENTIA program is aimed at students from Haut Katanga who obtain a score of at least 85% on the state exam. These students are eligible for a scholarship which allows them to continue their university studies, whether in local establishments or abroad. The objective is to train an intellectual elite who will contribute to the development of the country. To date, the program already has 241 scholarship holders, some of whom are continuing their studies in Morocco, France and the United States.
Sickle Cell Awareness:
In addition to promoting academic excellence, the EXCELLENTIA program also emphasizes sickle cell disease awareness. This genetic disease is the first genetic disease in the world and affects many populations across the globe. During an educational session, students are informed about the harms of sickle cell anemia and the prevention measures to adopt. The First Lady, Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, calls on students to be tested in order to fight against this devastating disease for families and society.
The impact of the EXCELLENTIA program:
The EXCELLENTIA program is already having a significant impact in the Haut Katanga province. By providing an opportunity to talented young students, it promotes access to education and encourages academic excellence. Many scholarship holders were able to pursue higher studies in various fields, thus contributing to the development of key sectors of society. In addition, raising awareness of sickle cell disease makes it possible to act preventively and fight against this disease through regular screenings.
Conclusion :
The EXCELLENTIA program of the Denise NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI Foundation is a laudable initiative that aims to promote academic excellence and raise awareness about sickle cell disease. By offering scholarships to talented students and encouraging them to surpass themselves, this program helps to train an intellectual elite who will participate in the development of the country. At the same time, the fight against sickle cell disease helps save lives by raising awareness among younger generations and encouraging early detection. Thanks to such initiatives, Haut Katanga and the Democratic Republic of Congo can look forward to a better future.