Financing for university students from low income backgrounds
Rwanda, 2013
Social Issue
Higher education is an excellent way to promote social mobility. However, students with fewer resources often find it difficult to obtain funding for their college education. This causes the cycle of poverty to continue.
Our Response
Since 2007, the Netri Foundation has collaborated with the NGO Trust and Care to improve the situation in Rwanda through education. In addition to sponsoring students during their primary and secondary studies, Trust and Care awards interest-free loans to young college students. These are returned once the students finish their studies and start working.
Expected Social Impact
Sponsoring a student during their school years and not supporting them at the university stage would mean giving up their potential.
At first glance, it might seem that a university loan to 41 students is not an effective measure in terms of cost / social impact since the amount to be financed is high and the number of beneficiaries is small.
However, there are a series of determining factors that change this perception: In the African countries, a person who has finished a career carries out a great social work amongst their relatives and acquaintances who have not had the same opportunity. This social work is achieved by the additional income that obtaining a job, as a result of having gone to university, provides.