Ten Hunter students, who came to Australia as refugees, have received scholarships that will help assist them with their education.
The scholarships were made possible through a $30,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
The students were provided the scholarships by the Mentor Support Network (MSN) virtually, after the scheduled presentation ceremony was cancelled to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
MSN and the Charitable Foundation opted to announce the scholarships via a digital presentation that was broadcast on Facebook.
This is the second year the Charitable Foundation has granted $30,000 to this program.
Chair of MSN, Jon Chin, said the refugee specific program was established after it became evident that refugee students faced many challenges outside those of other students.
“MSN awarded 45 scholarships last month to students whose family financial situation might prevent them from completing their education goals,” Jon said.
“Some students from refugee families face additional challenges such as having to learn English and face vastly different cultural challenges.”
Despite the presentation being virtual, there is nothing virtual about the student prize.
Each student, who is in senior school, with receive a scholarship of $3,000.
The scholarship with enable the purchase of essential education needs including laptop computers and uniforms. It also funds a career program where each student will be involved in a 13-week mentoring program and an individualised career assessment, designed to improve career pathways after school.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Aya Sulaiman, Female, Kurdistan – Year 11
- Tenzin Dechen, Female, India – Year 11
- Mohamad Alsbeih, Male, Syria- Year 11
- Elul Tecle, Female, Ethiopia – Year 10
- Arman Zolfaghart, Male, Turkey – Year 10
- Esperance Mulangatito, Female, Congo – TAFE
- Waleed Faisal, Male, Sudan – Year 11
- Lorin Ramo, Female, Syria – TAFE
- Tinotenda Mureverwi, Male, Zimbabwe – Year 11
- Sofa Alkasim, Female, Syria – Year 12
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair, Phil Neat said the scholarships have the potential to create positive generational change for students who have grown up facing extraordinary personal challenges and circumstances.
“Each scholarship is an investment in the future of these students, their families and our community,” Phil said.
“Despite the challenges posed by current circumstances, the Charitable Foundation Board is proud to take the opportunity to celebrate the potential of each of our ten recipients.”
MSN’s refugee student scholarships, which have been awarded since 2019, are managed by its dedicated volunteers, who work closely with the support of schools, mentors, careers advisers and others to help young people achieve goals that might otherwise be out of reach.
IMAGE | Chair of the Mentor Support Network, Jon Chin, at last year’s award presentation
