On Friday, June 1st, the Harambee USA Foundation Nursing Scholarship Program raised funds to cover one year’s tuition for five aspiring nurse students in Democratic Republic of Congo. The “educational” evening of wine-tasting and student testimonials was held at Alderton House, New York City. The benefit gave program supporters a chance to further their knowledge of fine wines – and the difficulties of becoming a nurse in DR Congo, which is struggling to recover from a six-year civil war.
Fittingly, sommelier Elisa Crye introduced vintages from the Cape Winelands of South Africa, as well as Spain and France. Johanna Valiquette, NP, and Isabel Macalintal, who are members of the Scholarship Committee, presented video testimonies of sponsored students and some of their teachers at Monkole Hospital Nursing School in Kinshasa. Then the floor was open to live donations and pledges. Caring individuals and donor-teams pooled funds to enable five nurses-in-training to complete another year of schooling.
The program aims to cover the four-year tuition of 10 carefully selected scholarship recipients. Because the program is staffed by volunteers, 100% of donations go directly to the Monkole Nursing School on behalf of students.
Save the date! The Nursing Scholarship Program will hold its annual benefit on Friday, October 5, in New York.
Are you someone who’s willing to make a life-changing difference in others’ lives? Click here to help another student fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse in DR Congo!
