RISE International

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RISE Scholarship Program

Goal...
Our goal was to assist refugee students in southern Africa with scholarships for an undergraduate college education. With the return of peace to Angola, our focus has shifted to impact the people in a broader way. Through the Schools for Angola project, more children will be given the opportunity to receive an education.

Philosophy...
The most valuable human resource for refugees and those in the best position to assist the refugees are other refugees. The aim of the student sponsorship porgram was not to take students out of the refugee camp and thus give them a "better" life. The purpose was to equip students to contribute to refugees, to the camps, and to the welfare of the host country, by helping these students gain a college education in southern Africa.

Student Responsibilities after Graduation...
To develop future leaders, RISE has sponsored the college education of a number of Angolan students. As they completed their studies, they committed to "payback" their schooling by working with RISE. Twelve students took part in the program. Several have served as translators for our Pilgrimage of Service teams.

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Salomon Soares: 
RISE Field Coordinator, Angola

The first of the students to enter the payback phase of the program is Salomao (Salomon) Soares, a young man that we first met at the Osire Refugee Camp in May of 2000. He served as a translator for the team. Through the RISE Scholarship program, he attended the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary for three years. and now serves invaluably as Field Coordinator for RISE in Angola.

Bonifacio Sessa:
Graduate of University of Namibia

Bonifacio, one of the college students sponsored by RISE, graduated with a degree in Agriculture from the University of Namibia. He has been awarded a Fullbright Scholarship and is currently attending the University of Arkansas, enrolled in the Masters Program for Agricultural Economics. A degree in agriculture can give him enormous opportunity to help rebuild Angola.

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Sergio Soares, Bela George, Mevilde Soares, Bonifacio Sessa, Salomon
Soares with Salomon, Jr.