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Excelling Against the Odds

For 18-year-old Esther Niyokwizera, the journey to academic success began in the dusty paths of Dzaleka Refugee Camp, her lifelong home, where she was born to Burundian parents who fled conflict back home. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, marked by determination, hard work, and the transformative power of education.

Growing up in a family of five, with parents who earn a living by selling charcoal on a small scale, Esther’s educational prospects seemed bleak. Attending a Primary School, located just outside the camp, Esther showed early promise. But when she was selected for Bzyanzi Secondary School after her Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations, her parents could not afford the tuition.

“They told me they cannot afford to pay my tuition there,” Esther recalls.

Disheartened, she enrolled at Dzaleka Day Secondary School, where fees were lower, but quality education seemed out of reach.

Four weeks into the school year, Esther learned about the There Is Hope (TIH) scholarship program. The scholarship, designed to support bright students from Dzaleka, was Esther’s chance to pursue the education she dreamed of. Among her friends, she was the only one selected.

“This enabled me to reclaim my academic place at Bzyanzi,” Esther says.

Back at Bzyanzi, she initially struggled, ranking 18th out of over 100 students. But by the second term, she had improved to 8th, and by Form 2, she was consistently in the top three. Her perseverance and leadership skills earned her a role as Deputy Head Girl in Form 3.

TIH’s support went beyond tuition. Esther’s family could not afford basic necessities like uniforms, groceries, and school supplies, but TIH’s care packs covered them.

“The scholarships helped me concentrate in school,” she explains.

The stability allowed her to focus on her studies, a luxury not available to her childhood friend and competitor, who performed poorly in secondary school without similar support.

As Esther approached her final year, she faced a severe setback. Just before the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams, she fell seriously ill. Bedridden for over a month, she could not study.

“I gave up,” Esther admits. “I thought I would fail and have to repeat the year.”

TIH confirmed they could not fund repeat years, making the stakes even higher.

Against all odds, Esther sat for her exams while still unwell. To her amazement, she passed with credit, earning distinctions in mathematics, physics, and other subjects. She scored 15 points overall, ranking third in her school and as the top female performer.

“It just shows the impact the scholarship has in academics,” she says, relieved and triumphant.

Eyes on the Future

With her MSCE results in hand, Esther now aims to study medicine at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. The TIH scholarship will continue to support her through university, funding her studies until graduation.

Esther’s success story serves as both inspiration and advice to others:

“MSCE is a summation of your secondary school performance from Form 1,” she emphasizes. “Your performance from Form 1 to 3 informs you in advance how you will perform in MSCE.”

From Refugee Camp to Role Model

As the top female MSCE performer from Dzaleka, Esther is proof of what is possible with access to education. She is determined to excel, graduate, and give back to her family and community.

“I want to work hard, become a doctor and support my family in the future,” she says, her voice filled with hope and conviction. For Esther, the path has been far from easy, but the future now looks brighter than she ever imagined.

The There Is Hope scholarship program did not just give Esther an education; it gave her a platform to achieve her dreams. In a place where opportunities are few, Esther has shown that success is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances.

We are grateful to our partners who continue to support us in educating the youth from Dzaleka Refugee camp and Malawi.