The Marlene Assell Memorial Scholarship Program

The Marlene Assell Memorial Scholarship Program was created out of the commitment of people whose vision was equal access to education for all children. Secondary education is not a standard option for young women in East Africa; in fact, any education past the mid-elementary level is only a dream for most girls in rural areas. Approximately 5% of young women in rural areas go on to secondary school and an even smaller percentage actually finish. The scholarship program opens the path to the future for girls who will shape this future for their families, their communities and their country.

The Marlene Assell Scholarship Program started with 20 girls. Today there are almost two hundred young women being sponsored for Secondary Education in rural villages across Tanzania. A sponsorship not only covers basic school costs but also hidden costs like glasses and eye exams for the girls. We initiated tutorial classes to prepare the girls for the exit exams, then a new challenge appeared. Girls who do not pass the exit exams for the second time cannot continue on to Form lll. To answer this need, we are looking into vocational training programs as an alternative. Our goal is two-fold: to support the girls who can succeed at all the levels in Secondary School and girls who can learn vocational skills to enable them to make a living in the event that they cannot pass the exams.

Click the image above to see a big version of Kooyorii's application.

Girls often have to walk many miles each way to attend school. When they return home, they are expected to perform their normal household duties which leaves little time for study and homework. In October 2004 Global Partners completed the first hostel to house close to 100 girls at Oldonyosambu Secondary School.

Marlene Assell Scholarship Sponsors:

Sponsors care deeply and support their students. Because of this, Global Partners has been able to expand and improve this program and will continue to do so, to meet the needs of the young women who are the future of Africa.

How to become a Sponsor:
1. Make the commitment of $500 per year for four years of secondary school.

2. Click on the button below to enroll in the program.

3. When your payment is received, you will be sent an information packet about your sponsored student for that year. If desired, you may exchange letters and photographs with your student.

Make a commitment today for better education
for all children!
Help create a world in which every child has
an equal opportunity for an education.